Methods and apparatuses for handling the configuration of measurements to be performed by a user equipment in a wireless communication network

ABSTRACT

A method performed by a first base station, is described. The first base station determines a change in one or more measurements to be performed by a UE. The measurements are associated with a first set of frequencies. The first base station also transmits a first message to a second base station comprising information regarding which frequencies in the first set are to be changed. The first base station and the second base station serve the UE. A method performed by the second base station is also described whereby the second base station receives the first message. In a method performed by the UE, the UE receives, from the first base station, a configuration message configured to specify the measurements to perform and a measurement gap configuration. The UE then takes the measurements based on the configuration message.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/951,307 filed 18 Nov. 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/328,578 filed 26 Feb. 2019 and now issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,887,802, which is a U.S. National Phase Application ofPCT/SE2019/050001 filed 3 Jan. 2019, which claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/616,370 filed 11 Jan. 2018. The entirecontents of each aforementioned application is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a first base station andmethods performed thereby for handling a change in one RAN2 #99 or moremeasurements. The present disclosure also relates generally to a secondbase station and methods performed thereby for handling the change in ormore measurements. The present disclosure further relates generally to auser equipment and methods performed thereby for handling the change inor more measurements.

BACKGROUND

Wireless devices within a wireless communications network may be e.g.,User Equipments (UE), stations (STAs), mobile terminals, wirelessterminals, terminals, and/or Mobile Stations (MS). Wireless devices areenabled to communicate wirelessly in a cellular communications networkor wireless communication network, sometimes also referred to as acellular radio system, cellular system, or cellular network. Thecommunication may be performed e.g., between two wireless devices,between a wireless device and a regular telephone and/or between awireless device and a server via a Radio Access Network (RAN) andpossibly one or more core networks, comprised within the wirelesscommunications network. Wireless devices may further be referred to asmobile telephones, cellular telephones, laptops, or tablets withwireless capability, just to mention some further examples. The wirelessdevices in the present context may be, for example, portable,pocket-storable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or vehicle-mountedmobile devices, enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the RAN,with another entity, such as another terminal or a server.

The wireless communications network covers a geographical area which maybe divided into cell areas, each cell area being served by a networknode, which may be an access node such as a radio network node, radionode or a base station, e.g., a Radio Base Station (RBS), whichsometimes may be referred to as e.g., evolved Node B (“eNB”), “eNodeB”,“NodeB”, “B node”, gNB, Transmission Point (TP), or BTS (BaseTransceiver Station), depending on the technology and terminology used.The base stations may be of different classes such as e.g., Wide AreaBase Stations, Medium Range Base Stations, Local Area Base Stations,Home Base Stations, pico base stations, etc. . . . , based ontransmission power and thereby also cell size. A cell is thegeographical area where radio coverage is provided by the base stationor radio node at a base station site, or radio node site, respectively.One base station, situated on the base station site, may serve one orseveral cells. Further, each base station may support one or severalcommunication technologies. The base stations communicate over the airinterface operating on radio frequencies with the terminals within rangeof the base stations. The wireless communications network may also be anon-cellular system, comprising network nodes which may serve receivingnodes, such as wireless devices, with serving beams. In 3rd GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), base stations,which may be referred to as eNodeBs or even eNBs, may be directlyconnected to one or more core networks. In the context of thisdisclosure, the expression Downlink (DL) may be used for thetransmission path from the base station to the wireless device. Theexpression Uplink (UL) may be used for the transmission path in theopposite direction i.e., from the wireless device to the base station.

Multi-Carrier Operation

In multicarrier or carrier aggregation (CA) operation, a UE may be ableto receive and/or transmit data to more than one serving cell. In otherwords, a CA capable UE may be configured to operate with more than oneserving cell. The carrier of each serving cell may be generally calledas a component carrier (CC). In simple words, the component carrier (CC)may be understood to mean an individual carrier in a multi-carriersystem. The term carrier aggregation (CA) may be also called, e.g.,interchangeably called, “multi-carrier system”, “multi-cell operation”.“multi-carrier operation”, “multi-carrier” transmission and/orreception. This may be understood to mean the CA may be used fortransmission of signaling and data in the uplink and downlinkdirections. One of the CCs is the primary component carrier (PCC), orsimply primary carrier, or even anchor carrier. The remaining ones maybe called secondary component carrier (SCC), or simply secondarycarriers, or even supplementary carriers. The serving cell may beinterchangeably called as primary cell (PCell) or primary serving cell(PSC). Similarly, the secondary serving cell may be interchangeablycalled as secondary cell (SCell) or secondary serving cell (SSC).

Generally, the primary or anchor CC may carry the UE specific signallingthat the UE may need. The primary CC, a.k.a. PCC or PCell, may exist inboth uplink and downlink directions in CA. In case there is single ULCC, the PCell may be on that CC. The network may assign differentprimary carriers to different UEs operating in the same sector or cell.

In (DC) operation, the UE may be served by at least two nodes calledmaster eNB (MeNB) and secondary eNB (SeNB). More generally, in multipleconnectivity, a.k.a., multi-connectivity, operation, the UE may beserved by two or more nodes where each node may operate or manages onecell group, e.g., MeNB, SeNB1, SeNB2 and so on. More specifically, inmulti-connectivity, each node may serve or manage at least secondaryserving cells belonging its own cell group. Each cell group may containone or more serving cells. The UE may be configured with PCC from bothMeNB and SeNB. The PCell from MeNB and SeNB may be called as PCell andPSCell, respectively. The UE may also be configured with one or moreSCCs from each of MeNB and SeNB. The corresponding secondary servingcells served by MeNB and SeNB may be called SCells. The UE in DC maytypically have separate Transmitter/Receiver (TX/RX) for each of theconnections with MeNB and SeNB. This may allow the MeNB and SeNB toindependently configure the UE with one or more procedures e.g., radiolink monitoring (RLM), Discontinued Reception (DRX) cycle etc. on theirPCell and PSCell respectively.

In multiconnectivity, all cell groups may contain serving cells of thesame Radio Access Technology (RAT). e.g., LTE, or different cell groupsmay contain serving cells of different RATs.

Dual Connectivity in LTE

Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) may supportDual Connectivity (DC) operation, whereby a multiple Rx/Tx UE inRRC_CONNECTED may be configured to utilize radio resources provided bytwo distinct schedulers, located in two eNBs connected via a non-idealbackhaul over the X2 interface (see 3GPP 36.300). DC operation may beunderstood to advantageously provide data aggregation by using more thanone link, as well as link diversity for robustness. eNBs involved in DCfor a certain UE may assume two different roles: an eNB may either actas a Master node (MN) or as a Secondary node (SN). In DC, an MN may beunderstood, for example, as a radio network node which may terminate atleast an interface between the radio network node and a MobilityManagement Entity (MME). Such an interface may be, for example, an S1control plane interface between an eNB and an MME (S1-MME). In DC, an SNmay be understood as a radio network node that may be providingadditional radio resources for a UE, but is not the MN. In DC, a UE maybe connected to one MN and one SN.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture ofan LTE DC User Plane (UP), depicting an MN 11, an SN 12 and an X2interface 13. In LTE DC, the radio protocol architecture that aparticular bearer may use may depend on how the bearer may be setup.Three bearer types may exist: Master Cell Group (MCG) bearer 14,Secondary Cell Group (SCG) bearer 15 and split bearers 16. RadioResource Control (RRC) may be located in the MN, and Signaling RadioBearers (SRBs) may be always configured as a MCG bearer type, andtherefore only use the radio resources of the MN. FIG. 1 depicts howeach of the MCG bearer 14 and SCG bearer 15 has a respective Packet DataConvergence Protocol (PDCP) entity 17 and Radio Link Control (RLC)entity 18, each connected to a respective Medium Access Control (MAC) 19entity in each of the MN and SN. The split bearer 16 has a PDCP entityin the MN 11, and is connected to each of the MAC entities 19 in the MN11 and the SN 12, via, respectively, an RLC entity located in each ofthe MN 11 and the SN 12.

LTE-NR Dual Connectivity

LTE-New Radio (NR) DC, which may be also referred to as LTE-NR tightinterworking, is currently being discussed for Release 15 (rel-15). Inthis context, the major changes from LTE DC may be understood to be: theintroduction of a split bearer from the SN, known as SCG split bearer,the introduction of a split bearer for RRC, and the introduction of adirect RRC from the SN, also referred to as SCG SRB. Split RRC messagesmay be mainly used for creating diversity, and the sender may decide toeither choose one of the links for scheduling the RRC messages, or itmay duplicate the message over both links. In the downlink, the pathswitching between the MCG or SCG legs, or duplication on both, may beleft to network implementation. On the other hand, for the UL, thenetwork may configure a UE to use the MCG, SCG or both legs. The terms“leg” and “path” are used interchangeably throughout this document.

The SN may sometimes be referred to as Secondary gNB (SgNB), where gNBis an NR base station, and the MN as Master eNB (MeNB), in case the LTEis the master node and NR is the secondary node. In the other case,where an NR gNB is the master, and an LTE eNB is the secondary node, thecorresponding terms may be SeNB and MgNB.

The following terminologies are used throughout this text todifferentiate different dual connectivity scenarios:

-   -   a) DC refers to LTE DC, that is, where both MN and SN employ        LTE;    -   b) EN-DC refers to LTE-NR dual connectivity, where LTE is the        master and NR is the secondary;    -   c) NE-DC refers to LTE-NR dual connectivity, where NR is the        master and LTE is the secondary;    -   d) NR-DC, or NR-NR DC refers to both MN and SN employ NR, and    -   e) multi-RAT DC, (MR-DC) is a generic term that may be used to        describe where the MN and SN employ different RATs. For example        EN-DC and NE-DC are two different example cases of MR-DC.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the UP architectures forLTE-NR tight interworking in the MN 21 and the SN 22. An SCG splitbearer 23 is present in the SN 22, in addition to the split bearer inthe MN 21, which is referred to as an MCG split bearer 24.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the Control Plane (CP)architecture for LTE-NR tight interworking. An MN 31 operating on LTE,an SN 32 operating on NR, and a UE 33 supporting operation on LTE and NRare illustrated in the Figure, each with its respective protocol stack:RRC 34, PDCP 35, RLC 36, MAC 37 and the Physical layer (PHY) 38.Different signaling radio bearers may be used for carrying RRC messages.SRB0 39, SRB1 40 and SRB2 41, refer to the signaling radio bearers thatmay be used for carrying RRC messages. An RRC configuration may be sentdirectly by a configuring node via a direct SRB 42. RRC configurationsmay be encapsulated in another node's RRC message via Embedded RRC 43.

In E-UTRAN-NR dual connectivity, the master cell group may contain atleast one E-UTRA PCell, while the secondary cell group may contain atleast one NR PSCell. In this example, the master CG and the secondary CGmay be managed by an eNB and a gNB, respectively.

In NR-E-UTRAN dual connectivity, the master cell group may contain atleast one NR PCell, while the secondary cell group may contain at leastone LTE PSCell. In this example, the master CG and the secondary CG maybe managed by a gNB and an eNB, respectively.

Measurement Gaps in LTE

Inter-frequency measurements in LTE may be conducted during periodicinter-frequency measurement gaps, which may be configured in such a waythat each gap may start at an System Frame Number (SFN) and subframemeeting the following conditions: SFN mod T=FLOOR(gapOffset/10); andsubframe=gapOffset mod 10: with T=MGRP/10, where MGRP stands for“measurement gap repetition period”.

E-UTRAN may need to provide a single measurement gap pattern withconstant gap duration for concurrent monitoring of all frequency layersand RATs. Two configurations may be supported by the UE, with MGRP of 40and 80 ms, both with the measurement gap length (MGL) of 6 ms. Inpractice, due to the switching time, this may be understood to leaveless than 6 but at least 5 full subframes for measurements within eachsuch measurement gap. Shorter MGL has been recently also standardized inLTE.

In LTE, measurement gaps may be configured by the network to enablemeasurements on the other LTE frequencies and/or other RATs. The gapconfiguration may be signalled to the UE over RRC protocol, as part ofthe measurement configuration. The gaps may be common, that is, sharedby, for all frequencies, but the UE may measure only one frequency at atime within each gap.

Inter-frequency measurements and measurement gaps in NR and EN-DC

3GPP has agreed that in NR there may in the future be four measurementgap repetition periods (MGRP), 20 ms, 40, 80 ms, 160 ms and 6 options ofmeasurement gap length (MGL). In total there may be 24 gap patterns.

In the context of EN-DC, two frequency ranges may be important toconsider: Frequency 1 (FR1), sub 6 Ghz, and Frequency 2 (FR2), above 24Ghz. LTE may operate in FR1, while NR may operate in both FR1 and FR2.Depending on implementation, a UE may have one RF chain for both FR1 andFR2, or a separate chain for each. In case of a separate chain,inter-frequency measurement on one may be understood to not affect thetransmission/reception on the other, while in the case of a commonchain, measurements on one frequency range may require measurement gapand hence interruption of transmission/reception on the other. Thus, forthe case of the separate RF chain, the UE may be configured withindependent and different gap patterns, one for frequency of FR1, andone for frequency of FR2. On the other hand, for the common RF chain, aUE may need to be configured with one common, per UE, measurement gap.

Whether a UE supports a separate or common RF chain for FR1 and FR2 maybe communicated to the network as part of the UE capability informationexchange.

Measurement Capability Coordination Background

It was agreed in RAN2 #99bis that:

-   -   1: There will be a signalling to coordinate the number of        frequency layer to be used in MN and SN.    -   2: The MN indicates the number of frequency layers that can be        used in the SN    -   3: Re-negotiation (SN signalling to MN for the purpose to ask        for more number of frequency layer) is not supported (at least        in Rel-15).

An Information Element (IE) called maxMeasFreqsSCG is introduced in theRRC inter-node message, SCG-ConfigInfo [3], for this purpose.

Measurement Gap Coordination

In RAN2 #100, agreements were made regarding how toconfigure/co-ordinate measurement gaps.

Agreements:

1 In the case of per UE measurement gap configuration. MN decides theconfiguration and informs the SN about the configuration.

2 For December 17, adopt a solution where:

-   -   a/ For case of a single gap case the network always configures        per UE gaps if the UE is configured to measure any inter-freq or        inter-RAT carrier or intra-freq cases where gaps are required.    -   b/ For the independent gap case the network always configures        for the LTE/FR1 gaps if the UE is configured to measure any        carrier within the FR1 range, and network always configures for        the FR2 gaps if the UE is configured to measure any carrier        within the FR2 range.

3 For the independent gap case once EN-DC is setup:

-   -   a/ the MN should inform the measurement gap pattern        configuration on FR1 to the SN    -   b/ the MN should inform the SN that it wants to measure in FR2        frequency(ies). Some assistance information to the SN to        configure the gaps is provided    -   c/ the SN should inform the MN that it wants to measure in NR        carriers in FR1 range, if the SN has not already received a        measurement gap pattern. Some assistance information to the MN        to configure the gaps is provided        FFS What Assistance Information is Required

4 For the per UE gap case once EN-DC is setup:

-   -   a/ the MN should inform the measurement gap pattern        configuration to the SN    -   b/ the SN should inform the MN that it wants to measure any        inter-freq carrier or intra-freq cases where gaps are required.        Some assistance information to the MN to configure the gaps is        provided

5 Capability is added to indicate support for independent gapconfiguration for FR1 and FR2

Measurement Configuration in EN-DC

In RAN2 #98, the following agreements were made regarding on how the MNand SN actually configure the UE for measurement:

Agreements

-   -   1: At least, the total number of measured carriers across LTE        and NR needs to be coordinated between MN and SN so that it does        not go beyond the UE capability.    -   2: If MN and SN both configure a measurement object on the same        carrier frequency then the measurement objects need to be        configured consistently.    -   3: For MCG and SCG, measurements (objects/ID/reportConfigs) can        be configured independently by LTE RRC (inter-RAT measurement on        NR) and NR RRC (intra-NR measurements on serving and non serving        frequencies). (Noting that for the objects will be configured        consistently as described by agreement 2)

Current existing methods of handling the configuration of measurementsto be performed by a UE according to the foregoing agreements may leadto underutilizing the measurement capability of the UE. Moreover,considerable delay may be incurred before the measurement may bestarted, and in addition, the configuration of the measurement gap maynot enable the performance of the desired measurements.

SUMMARY

It is an object of embodiments herein to improve the handling ofmeasurements to be performed by a UE in a wireless communicationsnetwork. It is a particular object of embodiments herein to improve thehandling of the configuration of the UE to perform the measurements.

According to a rust aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achievedby a method, performed by a first base station. The first base stationdetermines a change in a first set of frequencies associated with one ormore measurements to be performed by a user equipment (UE). The firstbase station then transmits a first message to a second base stationcomprising information regarding which one or more frequencies in thefirst set of frequencies are to be changed. The first base station andthe second base station serve the UE.

According to a second aspect of embodiments herein, the object isachieved by a method, performed by a second base station. The secondbase station receives the first message from the first base station. Thefirst message comprises the information regarding which one or morefrequencies in the first set of frequencies are to be changed in the oneor more measurements to be performed by the UE. The first base stationand the second base station serve the UE.

According to a third aspect of embodiments herein, the object isachieved by method, performed by UE. The UE receives, from the firstbase station, a configuration message. The configuration messagespecifies one of the following options. In a first option, theconfiguration message specifies the one or more measurements the UE isto perform with a Master Node (MN) Radio Resource Control (RRC)reconfiguration message, wherein the MN RRC message embeds a SecondaryNode (SN) RRC message. The embedded SN RRC message configures the UEwith a measurement gap configuration In a second option, theconfiguration message specifies the measurement gap configuration the UEis to apply with a MN RRC reconfiguration message. The MN RRC messageembeds an SN RRC message, wherein the embedded SN RRC message specifiesthe one or more measurements the UE is to perform. The UE then takes theone or more measurements based on the received configuration message.

According to a fourth aspect of embodiments herein, the object isachieved by a first base station. The first base station is configuredto determine the change in the one or more measurements to be performedby the UE. The one or more measurements are configured to be associatedwith the first set of frequencies. The first base station is alsoconfigured to transmit the first message to the second base station. Thefirst message is configured to comprise the information regarding whichone or more frequencies in the first set of frequencies are to bechanged. The first base station and the second base station areconfigured to serve the UE.

According to a fifth aspect of embodiments herein, the object isachieved by the second base station. The second base station isconfigured to receive the first message from the first base station. Thefirst message is configured to comprise the information regarding whichone or more frequencies in the first set of frequencies are to bechanged in the one or more measurements to be performed by the UE. Thefirst base station and the second base station are configured to servethe UE.

According to a sixth aspect of embodiments herein, the object isachieved by the UE. The UE is configured to receive, from the first basestation, the configuration message configured to specify one of thefollowing options. In a first option, the configuration message isconfigured to specify the one or more measurements the UE is to performwith the MN RRC reconfiguration message. The MN RRC message isconfigured to embed the SN RRC message. The SN RRC configured to beembedded message is configured to configure the UE with the measurementgap configuration. In a second option, the configuration message isconfigured to specify the measurement gap configuration the UE is toapply with the MN RRC reconfiguration message. The MN RRC message isconfigured to embed the SN RRC message, wherein the SN RRC messageconfigured to be embedded is configured to specify the one or moremeasurements the UE is to perform. The UE is also configured to take theone or more measurements based on the configuration message configuredto be received.

By the first base station transmitting the first message to the secondbase station, comprising information regarding which one or morefrequencies in the first set of frequencies are to be changed, the firstbase station and the second base station may coordinate the measurementsthey may wish the UE to perform, and may be enabled to not double counta measurement on a same frequency they may both wish the UE to perform ameasurement on. Thus, the capability of the UE is not under-utilized. Bythe UE receiving the configuration message from the first base station,the time of the measurement configuration and/or setup procedures tohave the UE perform the one or more measurements may be reduced, sincethe procedures of measurement capabilities and gap coordination may becombined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail withreference to the accompanying drawings, according to the followingdescription.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture ofan LTE DC User Plane (UP).

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the UP architectures forLTE-NR tight interworking.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the Control Plane (CP)architecture for LTE-NR tight interworking.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram an example of a wireless communicationsnetwork, according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting a method in a first base station,according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting a method in a second base station,according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method in a user equipment, accordingto embodiments herein.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a firstbase station, according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a secondbase station, according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a user equipment,according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a wireless network inaccordance with some embodiments herein.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a user equipment,according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualizationenvironment, according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a telecommunicationnetwork connected via an intermediate network to a host computer,according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 15 is a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicatingvia a base station with a user equipment over a partially wirelessconnection, according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in acommunications system including a host computer, a base station and auser equipment, according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in acommunications system including a host computer, a base station and auser equipment, according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in acommunications system including a host computer, a base station and auser equipment, according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in acommunications system including a host computer, a base station and auser equipment, according to embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As part of developing embodiments herein, certain challenge(s) thatcurrently exist which may be associated with use of at least some of theexisting methods, and that are not resolved/discussed yet in 3GPP, willfirst be identified and discussed.

For example, a first challenge is that as discussed above, the MNinforms the SN when it wants to configure a UE to measure on NRfrequencies. However, this information is generic and not sufficient toprovide an optimal measurement gap, e.g., the measurement gap repetitionneeds may be different depending on how many NR frequencies the UE isgoing to measure.

A second challenge is that with the agreements referenced above, whenthe MN has informed the SN of its needs to start measuring on NRfrequencies, the SN will configure the measurement gaps and then informthe MN, and only then may the MN be able to configure the UE to startthe measurements on the NR frequencies. This may incur considerabledelay before the measurement may be started, that is, time to send“measurement needs” message+“processing time at the SN to generate theRRC message towards the UE that configures the measurement gaps”+“timeto send the RRC message to the UE”+“time to get the confirmation messagefrom the UE to that RRC message”+“time to generate the message to the MNto inform the latest measurement gap on NR frequencies”.

A third challenge is that, according to the agreements described in theBackground section, an MN and an SN may both configure a measurement inthe same NR frequency. The implication of that is, in this case, thateven though the MN and SN may think they are having several measurementconfigurations, that is, as one measurement each, while from theperspective of the UE, only one measurement is configured. The result ofthis is a possible underutilization of the UE measurement capability.

To illustrate this problem with an example, the following simplescenario may be considered. In this example scenario, it may be assumedthat the maximum total number of NR frequency carriers the UE maymeasure on, according to its capability, is 5. Also, it may be assumedthat the MN may configure the UE to measure on 2 NR frequency carriers.The MN may then inform the SN, as agreed in RAN2 #99bis, that it maymeasure maximum of 3 NR frequencies, and thereafter, the SN mayconfigure 3 NR frequency carriers. If the MN and SN have configured 2common NR frequency carriers, the total number of carriers the UE isactually measuring on is 3. That is, 2 common and one unique NRfrequency carrier configured by the SN. Since both the MN and the SN maythen consider the UE capability limit is reached, they will refrain fromconfiguring measurements on other NR frequencies. This means that themeasurement capabilities of the UE are not fully utilized.

As a further particular illustrative example of this challenge, it maybe considered a UE that supports 5 measurements, and the MN hasconfigured the SN to measure a max of 2 measurements, as agreed in RAN2,see section 2.1.6. It may be assumed in this example that the MN hasconfigured measurements on LTE freq LTE_f1 and NR freq NR_f1 and NRfreq_2. It may also be assumed the SN has also configured measurementson the two NR frequencies NR_f1 and NR_f2. From the point of view of theUE, it has 3 measurements to perform, since performing a measurement onNR_f1 or NR_f2 is the same from a lower/physical (PH Y) layerperspective, regardless of the measurement configuration coming from theMN or SN. The only difference between the MN and SN configuredmeasurements on NR_f1 is higher layer processing, like L3 filtering.Thus, the UE is still capable of performing measurements on two morefrequencies. But since both the MN and SN are not aware of this, eachthinking it has reached the UE capability limit, they will not be ableto configure any new measurements, until a measurement configuration onone of the frequencies being measured is released. Thus, effectivelyunderutilizing the measurement capability of the UE by 40% (2/5).

Certain aspects of the present disclosure and their embodiments mayprovide solutions to these or other challenges. Embodiments herein maybe generally understood to relate to measurement configurationcoordination between base stations. Embodiments herein may also begenerally understood to relate to measurement gap coordination betweenbase stations. Particular embodiments herein may be understood to relateto measurement capability and gap coordination in EN-DC.

Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described morefully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments,however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosedherein. The disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limitedto only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter tothose skilled in the art. It should be noted that the embodiments and/orexamples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from oneembodiment or example may be tacitly assumed to be present in anotherembodiment or example and it will be obvious to a person skilled in theart how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodimentsand/or examples.

FIG. 4 depicts a non-limiting example of a wireless network or wirelesscommunications network 100, sometimes also referred to as a wirelesscommunications system, cellular radio system, or cellular network, inwhich embodiments herein may be implemented. The wireless communicationsnetwork 100 may typically be a 5G system, 5G network, or Next Gen Systemor network. The wireless communications network 100 may also supportother technologies such as, for example, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), e.g.LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), LTEHalf-Duplex Frequency Division Duplex (HD-FDD). LTE operating in anunlicensed band. WCDMA, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) TDD,GSM network, GERAN network. Ultra-Mobile Broadband (UMB). EDGE network,network comprising of any combination of Radio Access Technologies(RATs) such as e.g. Multi-Standard Radio (MSR) base stations, multi-RATbase stations etc., any 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)cellular network, WiFi networks. Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMax), or any cellular network or system. Thus,although terminology from 5G/NR and LTE may be used in this disclosureto exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting thescope of the embodiments herein to only the aforementioned system. Thewireless communications network may also be understood as a non-cellularsystem, comprising network nodes which may serve receiving nodes, suchas wireless devices, with serving beams. This may be a typical case,e.g., a in a 5G network.

The wireless communications network 100 comprises a plurality of networknodes, whereof a first base station 111 and a second base station 112are depicted in the non-limiting example of FIG. 4 . In other examples,which are not depicted in FIG. 4 , any of the first base station 111 andthe second base station 112 may be a distributed node, such as a virtualnode in the cloud, and may perform its functions entirely on the cloud,or partially, in collaboration with a radio network node.

Each of the first base station 111 and the second base station 112 maybe understood to be a radio network node. That is, a transmission pointsuch as a radio base station, for example a gNB, an eNB, or any othernetwork node with similar features capable of serving a wireless device,such as a user equipment or a machine type communication device, in thewireless communications network 100.

The wireless communications network 100 covers a geographical area whichmay be divided into cell areas, wherein each cell area may be served bya network node, although, one radio network node may serve one orseveral cells. The wireless communications network 100 may comprise atleast one of: a first group of cells and a second group of cells. Thefirst group of cells may be, for example, a MCG. The second group ofcells may be, for example, a SCG. The first group of cells may comprisea first cell 121, and one or more second cells. In the non-limitingexample depicted FIG. 4 , only the first cell 121 is depicted tosimplify the Figure. The first cell 121 may be a primary cell (PCell)and each of the one or more second cells may be a secondary cell(SCell). In the non-limiting example depicted in FIG. 4 , the first basestation 111 is a radio network node that serves the first cell 121. Thefirst base station 111 may, in some examples, serve receiving nodes,such as wireless devices, with serving beams.

The second group of cells may comprise a third cell 123, and one or morefourth cells. In the non-limiting examples depicted in FIG. 4 , only thethird cell 123 is depicted to simplify the Figure. The third cell 123may be a primary secondary cell (PSCell) and each of the one or morefourth cells may be a secondary cell (SCell). In the non-limitingexample depicted in FIG. 4 , the second base station 112 is a radionetwork node that serves the third cell 123. Even in examples whereinthe wireless communications network 100 may not be referred to as acellular system, the second base station 112 may serve receiving nodes,such as wireless devices, with serving beams.

The first base station 111, in some examples, may be a MN.

The second base station 112, in some examples, may be a SN.

In LTE, any of the first base station 111 and the second base station112 may be referred to as an eNB. In some examples, the first basestation 111 may be an eNB as MN, and the second base station 112 may bea gNB as SN. It may be noted that although the description ofembodiments herein may focus on the LTE-NR tight interworking case,where the LTE is the master node, embodiments herein may be understoodto also be applicable to other DC cases, such as LTE-NR DC, where NR isthe master and LTE is the secondary node (NE-DC), NR-NR DC, where boththe master and secondary nodes are NR nodes, or even between LTE/NR andother RATs. In some examples, the first base station 111 may be a gNB asMN, and the second base station 112 may be an eNB as SN.

Any of the first base station 11 and the second base station 112 may beof different classes, such as, e.g., macro base station, home basestation or pico base station, based on transmission power and therebyalso cell size. Any of the first base station 111 and the second basestation 112 may support one or several communication technologies, andits name may depend on the technology and terminology used. In 5G/NR,any of the first base station 111 and the second base station 112 may bereferred to as a gNB and may be directly connected to one or more corenetworks, which are not depicted in FIG. 4 .

A plurality of user equipments are located in the wireless communicationnetwork 100, whereof a user equipment 130, is depicted in thenon-limiting example of FIG. 4 . The user equipment 130 comprised in thewireless communications network 100 may be a wireless communicationdevice such as a 5G UE, or a UE, which may also be known as e.g., mobileterminal, wireless terminal and/or mobile station, a mobile telephone,cellular telephone, or laptop with wireless capability, just to mentionsome further examples. Any of the user equipments comprised in thewireless communications network 100 may be, for example, portable,pocket-storable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or a vehicle-mountedmobile device, enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the RAN,with another entity, such as a server, a laptop, a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA), or a tablet computer, sometimes referred to as a surfplate with wireless capability. Machine-to-Machine (M2M) device, deviceequipped with a wireless interface, such as a printer or a file storagedevice, modem, or any other radio network unit capable of communicatingover a radio link in a communications system. The user equipment 130comprised in the wireless communications network 100 is enabled tocommunicate wirelessly in the wireless communications network 100. Thecommunication may be performed e.g., via a RAN, and possibly the one ormore core networks, which may comprised within the wirelesscommunications network 100.

The user equipment 130 may be configured to communicate within thewireless communications network 100 with the first base station 111 inthe first cell 121 over a first link 141, e.g., a radio link. The userequipment 130 may be configured to communicate within the wirelesscommunications network 100 with the first base station 111 in each ofthe one or more second cells over a respective second link. e.g., aradio link. The user equipment 130 may be configured to communicatewithin the wireless communications network 100 with the second basestation 112 in the third cell 123 over a third link 143, e.g., a radiolink. The user equipment 130 may be configured to communicate within thewireless communications network 100 with the second base station 112 ineach of the one or more fourth cells 124 over a respective fourth link,e.g., a radio link.

The first base station 111 and the second base station 112 may beconfigured to communicate within the wireless communications network 100over a fifth link 150, e.g., a wired link or an X2 interface.

In general, the usage of “first” and/or “second” herein may beunderstood to be an arbitrary way to denote different elements orentities, and may be understood to not confer a cumulative orchronological character to the nouns they modify.

Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described morefully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments,however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosedherein. The disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limitedto only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter tothose skilled in the art.

Embodiments of a method, performed by the first base station 111, willnow be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in FIG. 5 .The method may be understood to be for handling one or more measurementsto be performed by the user equipment. UE, 130. The first base station111 may be understood to serve the UE 130 with the second base station112 in the wireless communication network 100 in a dual connectivitysetup.

In some embodiments all the actions may be performed. In someembodiments, two or more actions may be performed. In FIG. 5 , optionalactions are indicated with dashed lines. It should be noted that theexamples herein are not mutually exclusive. Several embodiments arecomprised herein. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumedto be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a personskilled in the art how those components may be used in the otherexemplary embodiments. One or more embodiments may be combined, whereapplicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify thedescription.

Action 501

During the course of communications in the wireless communicationsnetwork 100, the UE 130 may perform measurements on frequencies orcarriers it may be able to detect, based on a configuration provided bythe first base station 111 serving it. At some point, the first basestation 111 may need to change the measurements the UE 130 may beperforming on other carriers. For example, if the load of the first basestation 111 has become too high, or a radio quality is degrading in acurrent frequency and there may be a risk of radio link failuredeclaration, the first base station 111 may need to handover the UE 130to another carrier or frequency, and the first base station 111 may needto have the UE 130 perform measurements on other frequencies. In yetanother example scenario, the first base station 111 may want to finddifferent SCells in different frequencies to establish the carrieraggregation feature. In other examples e.g., if the UE 130 is close tothe boarder of the first cell 121, the first base station 111 may needthe UE 130 to refrain from performing measurements on some frequencies.In this Action 501, the first base station 111 determines a change inone or more measurements to be performed by the UE 130. The one or moremeasurements are associated with a first set of frequencies.

Determining may be understood as e.g., calculating.

The change in the one or more measurements may comprise adding orremoving one or more frequencies in the first set of frequencies to bemeasured.

That the one or more measurements are associated with the first set offrequencies may be understood to mean that the one or more measurementsare to be performed or are to be refrained to be performed onfrequencies comprised in the first set of frequencies.

In some embodiments, the first set of frequencies may be NR frequencies.

By performing the determining in this Action 501, the first base station11 may be enabled to dynamically adjust the measurements the UE 130 maybe performing based on particular circumstances in the wirelesscommunications network 100 affecting the UE 130.

Action 502

Since the first base station 111 serves the UE 130 with the second basestation 112, and the UE 130 may be understood to have a measurementcapability in terms of the number of frequencies it may be capable ofperforming measurements on at a certain time, the first base station 111may need to coordinate with the second base station 112 the change itmay have determined to make in the one or more measurements to beperformed by the UE 130. In order to address the possibleunder-utilization of the measurement capability of the UE 130, whileavoiding the possibility of exceeding the measurement capability of theUE 130, the first base station 111 may inform the second base station112, not only that it is going to configure the UE 130 to, for example,perform a measurement on a particular. e.g., NR, frequency, but also theactual frequency carrier(s), referred to herein simply as“frequency(ies)” or “frequencies”, that it may be going to configure theUE 130 to measure. This way, the first base station 11 may enable thesecond base station 112 to configure additional measurements withoutexceeding the capability of the UE 130.

In accordance with the foregoing, in this Action 502, the first basestation 111 transmits a first message to the second base station 112.The first message comprises information regarding which one or morefrequencies in the first set of frequencies are to be changed. As statedearlier, the first base station 111 and the second base station 112serve the UE 130.

The transmitting in this Action 502 may be implemented, for example, viathe fifth link 150, e.g., an X2 interface.

The information may be for example, in the form of an InformationElement, an index, one or more identifiers of the frequencies, etc. . .. .

The first base station 111 and the second base station 112 may beserving the UE 130 in a DC setup, wherein one of the base stations maybe a Master Node (MN) and the other may be a Secondary Node (SN). Insome embodiments, the first base station 111 may be the MN, and thesecond base station 112 may be the SN. In other embodiments, the firstbase station 111 may be the SN, and the second base station 112 may bethe MN.

By transmitting the first message in this Action 502, the first basestation 111, as MN, may informs the second base station 112, as SNabout. e.g., the NR frequency carriers that it may be adding or removingfrom its measurements.

In other embodiments, by transmitting the first message in this Action502, the first base station 111, as SN may inform the second basestation 112, as MN, about the frequency carriers that it may be addingor removing from its measurements.

Considering this setup, the problem of the existing methods discussedearlier may be solved if the MN, e.g., the first base station 111,informs the SN, e.g., the second base station 112, not only with anindication that it may be going to configure the UE 130 to perform ameasurement on an NR frequency as agreed in RAN2 #100, but also,according to embodiments herein, with the actual NR frequency carrier(s)that it may be going to configure the UE 130 to measure. This way, theSN may be able to configure additional measurements without passing,that is, exceeding, the capability of the UE 130. Later, the SN mayinform the MN with the NR frequency carriers it is going to configurethe UE 130 to measure on. The MN may realize that 2 of the NR carriersit has configured the UE 130 with are common with the one the SN hasalso configured. Therefore, the MN may be enabled to configureadditional measurement(s) on other NR frequencies.

It may be noted also that if the MN, or the SN, removes one of thecommon frequency carriers and adds a new unique NR frequency, it mayneed to inform the SN, or MN, of this removal and addition. The reasonis that if the removed frequency was a common frequency and the newlyadded is a unique frequency, the number of total frequencies may exceedthe UE capability.

In accordance with the foregoing, the MN may inform the SN, about the NRfrequency carriers that it may be adding or removing from itsmeasurements. Similarly, the SN may inform the MN about the frequencycarriers that it may be adding or removing from its measurements.

Some examples in this disclosure focus on the case of EN-DC, where LTEis the master and NR is the secondary node.

For example, in an EN-DC scenario, the first base station 111 as MN,according to examples Action 502, may send an information message whichmay include information of the frequencies and/or carriers that arebeing added and/or removed to be measured, to the second base station112 as SN, whenever it may add and/or removes measurements on NRfrequencies.

However, the method may be understood to be equally applicable to otherinterworking scenarios such as NE-DC, where NR is the master and LTE isthe secondary.

The first message may be an RRC inter-node message, from MN to SN, e.g.,an SCG-ConfigInfo [3]. To restrict the number of NR frequency carriersthe SN, e.g., the second base station 112, may measure, there may be anIE called maxMeasFreqsSCG, which may be introduced in the RRC inter-nodemessage, from MN to SN. SCG-ConfigInfo [3]. Measurement objects on thesame frequency carrier configured by both MN and SN may be counted asone. In addition to this, the UE 130 may also need to monitor otherRATs, e.g., NR, E-UTRA FDD and E-UTRA TDD layers. Therefore, in order toachieve a correct number, it may be understood to be beneficial if boththe MN and SN need to know the NR carriers the UE 130 may be currentlymonitoring.

By transmitting the first message in this Action 502, the first basestation 111 may enable that the first base station Ill and the secondbase station 112 do not double count the measurement on the samefrequency as described above. Thus the capability of the UE 130 is notunder-utilized. For example, the first base station 111 as SN may informthe second base station 112 as MN whenever it may add and/or removemeasurements, which may include information of the frequencies and/orcarriers that may be being added and/or removed to be measured. Thesecond base station 112 as MN may then use this info to know how manymeasurements it may still setup.

Moreover, getting information about the NR carriers that the MN may beconfiguring the UE 130 to measure on may be understood to also make itpossible for the SN to set more optimal measurement gaps. For example,if the SN knows that the MN is going to configure the UE 130 to measureon several NR frequencies, it may set up a shorter measurement gapperiod/repetition to accommodate that, while a longer repetition may beconfigured if only one frequency is being measured. Another possibilityis the information to be used not only for the gap period and/orrepetition, but also for the gap duration, because depending on thefrequencies being measured, a different gap duration may be appropriate.

Action 503

In accordance with the foregoing, in this Action 503, the first basestation 111 may receive, from the second base station 112, an inter-nodeRadio Resource Control (RRC) message comprising a measurement gapconfiguration. The measurement gap configuration may be based on thetransmitted first message from the first base station 111.

The receiving in this Action 503 may be implemented, for example, viathe fifth link 150, e.g., an X2 interface.

Since the first base station 111 and the second base station 112communicate about the frequencies that they may be planning onconfiguring, the measurement gap in the received measurement gapconfiguration may be understood to be adjusted to fit the current needsof the UE 130.

In some examples, in response to the first message from the first basestation 111 as MN, e.g., the info message, the first base station 111may receive from the second base station 112 as SN an ACK via X2, thatmay also optionally contain the measurement gap configuration in an NRRRC connection reconfiguration message. The first base station 111 as MNmay then be enabled to send to the UE 130 the measurement configurationthat may configure the UE 130 in an LTE RRC message, embedding the NRRRC message that the second base station 112 as SN may have just sent.

Action 504

In this Action 504, the first base station 111 may transmit, to the UE130, a configuration message. The contents of the configuration messagemay be based on whether the first base station 111 is the MN or an SN.

The transmitting may be implemented, for example, via the first link141, e.g., radio link.

In some embodiments, wherein the first base station 111 may be an MN andthe second base station 112 may be an SN, the first base station 111may, in this Action 504, transmit, to the UE 130, a configurationmessage specifying the one or more measurements the UE 130 is toperform, with an MN RRC reconfiguration message. The MN RRC message maybe embedding an SN RRC message. The embedded SN RRC message mayconfigure the UE 130 with the measurement gap configuration receivedfrom the SN.

In some embodiments, the first base station 111 may wait to receive themeasurement gap configuration from the second base station 112indicating that a gap is configured before transmitting theconfiguration message to the UE 130 specifying the one or moremeasurements the UE 130 is to perform. For example, if it is the firsttime the first base station 111 as MN is configuring a measurement on NRfrequencies, and/or if it has not received any measurement gapinformation from the second base station 112 as SN previously, the firstbase station 111 as MN may wait for a confirmation from the second basestation 112 as SN that a gap is configured before configuring the UE 130with that measurement.

By transmitting the MN RRC message to the UE 130, the measurementconfiguration may be performed in one procedure. For example, the firstbase station 111, as MN, may send the NR frequency it may be planning onconfiguring the UE 130 to measure on, to the second base station 112 asSN. The second base station 112, as SN, may then be enabled to configurethe gap and respond back including the SN RRC message that may indicatethe gap to the UE 130. The first base station 111, as MN, may then sendan RRC message that includes the measurement configuration from the MN,as well as an embedded SN RRC message that may configure the gap.

In some embodiments, wherein the first base station 111 may be an SN andthe second base station 112 may be the MN, the first base station 111may, in this Action 504, transmit, to the UE 130, a configurationmessage specifying the measurement gap configuration the UE 130 may needto apply with an MN RRC reconfiguration message. The MN message may beembedding an SN RRC message. The embedded SN RRC message may specify theone or more measurements the UE 130 may need to perform.

By transmitting the MN RRC message to the UE 130, the measurementconfiguration may be performed in one procedure. It may no longer benecessary to wait double round-trip time to implement the configurationsthat may be necessary to perform the one or more measurements. Thedouble round trip time here may be understood to refer to potentiallytwo X2 messages that may need to be sent from MN to SN in existingmethods. In a first request, the first round trip time may be understoodto be associated to a message that the MN, may send to the SN about theNR related measurement configuration change and the associated ACK fromthe SN, if the MN, may configure the measurement or not. In a secondrequest, the second round trip time may be understood to be associatedto the message that may be sent from the MN to the SN, to request forthe measurement gap configuration associated to the FR2 frequencieswhere the MN may be intending to configure the NR measurements and theassociated reply from the SN to indicate the measurement gapconfiguration associated with the request. Embodiments herein enable toavoid the need for second round trip of X2/Xn messages by allowing themeasurement gap configuration to be exchanged as part of an ACK messagefor the first request.

In some embodiments, the MN RRC message may be an LTE RRC message, andthe SN message may be an NR RRC reconfiguration message.

Embodiments of a method, performed by the second base station 112, willnow be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in FIG. 6 .The method may be understood to be for handling the one or moremeasurements to be performed by the UE 130. The first base station 111may be understood to serve the UE 130 with the second base station 112in the wireless communication network 100 in a dual connectivity setup.

In some embodiments all the actions may be performed. In someembodiments, one action may be performed. In FIG. 6 , the optionalaction is indicated with dashed lines. It should be noted that theexamples herein are not mutually exclusive. Several embodiments arecomprised herein. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumedto be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a personskilled in the art how those components may be used in the otherexemplary embodiments. One or more embodiments may be combined, whereapplicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify thedescription.

The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to thesame references provided above, in relation to the actions described forthe first base station 111, and will thus not be repeated here tosimplify the description, however, it applies equally. For example, thefirst set of frequencies may be NR frequencies.

Action 601

In this Action 601, the second base station 112 receives the firstmessage from the first base station 111. The first message comprises theinformation regarding which one or more frequencies in the first set offrequencies are to be changed in the one or more measurements to beperformed by the UE 130. The first base station Ill and the second basestation 112 serve the UE 130, e.g., in a DC setup.

The receiving in this Action 601 may be implemented, for example, viathe fifth link 150, e.g., an X2 interface.

The one or more frequencies in the first set of frequencies that are tobe changed may be understood to result in a change in the one or moremeasurements that are to be performed by the UE 130. The change in theone or more measurements may comprise adding or removing the one or morefrequencies in the first set of frequencies to be measured.

For example, the second base station 112, as SN, may then use the inforeceived in the first message to know how many measurements it may stillsetup, that is, it may then not count the measurements on the samefrequencies towards the measurement limit set by the first base station111 as MN during the EN-DC setup. Also, when a measurement is removed bythe first base station Ill as MN, the SN may start counting themeasurements on the concerned frequencies towards the measurement limit.

The receiving, in this Action 601, of the first message form the firstbase station 111 may be understood to enable measurement gapcoordination between the first base station 111 and the second basestation 112. Also, as stated earlier, in some embodiments, the firstbase station 111 may be the MN, and the second base station 112 may bean SN. The second base station 112, as SN, may then use the assistanceinformation provided to it from the first base station 111, as MN,according to Action 601, to set the appropriate measurement gap.

As mentioned earlier, there is an open issue from RAN2 #100 regardingwhat assistance information may be required by the SN to configure aproper measurement gap for NR frequencies. The reception of the detailsof the exact carriers that the MN may be adding or removing from themeasurement configuration of the UE 130, according to some embodimentsherein, may be understood to be sufficient for the SN to configure aproper measurement gap. Accordingly, the second base station 112, as SN,may be enabled by receiving, in this Action 601 the first message to usethe assistance information provided to it from the first base station111 as MN, to set the appropriate measurement gap.

In some embodiments, the first base station 111 may be an SN and thesecond base station 112 may be an MN.

Action 602

In this Action 602, the second base station 112 sends, to the first basestation 111, the inter-node RRC message comprising the measurement gapconfiguration. The measurement gap configuration may be understood tobased on the received first message from the first base station 111.

The sending in this Action 602 may be implemented, for example, via thefifth link 150, e.g., an X2 interface.

By sending the inter-node RRC message to the first base station 111 inthis Action 602, the second base station 112 may enable the first basestation 111 to embed the RRC message that may configure the UE 130 withthe measurement gap configuration.

In other examples, the second base station 112 may send, to the firstbase station 111, the inter-node RRC message specifying the one or moremeasurements the UE 130 is to perform. In such examples, the second basestation 112 may enable the first base station 111 to embed the RRCmessage that may configure the UE 130 with the one or more measurementsthe UE 130 may need to perform.

In some examples, in response to the first message from the first basestation 111 as MN. e.g., the info message, the second base station 112as SN may send to the first base station 111 an ACK via X2, that mayalso optionally contain the measurement gap configuration in an NR RRCconnection reconfiguration message.

Note also that, in relation to the methods described in FIG. 5 and/orFIG. 6 , if the MN, or the SN, removes one of the common frequencycarriers and adds a new unique NR frequency, it may need to inform theSN, or the MN, of this removal and addition. The reason is that if theremoved frequency was a common frequency and the newly added is a uniquefrequency, the number of total frequencies may exceed the capability ofthe UE 130.

In all the above, it may be assumed that the MN and the SN keep track ofthe NR carriers being configured by themselves as well as by the othernode.

During initial EN-DC setup, the MN may already communicate any NRfrequencies that it has already configured the UE with in the sgNBaddition message.

Embodiments of a method, performed by the user equipment 130, will nowbe described with reference to the flowchart depicted in FIG. 7 . Themethod may be understood to be for handling the one or more measurementsto be performed by the UE 130. The UE 130 may be served by the firstbase station 111 and by the second base station 112 in the wirelesscommunication network 100 in a dual connectivity setup.

In some embodiments, the UE 130 may be served by the first base station111 as the MN, and by the second base station 112, wherein the secondbase station 112 is a SN.

In other embodiments, the UE 130 may be served by the first base station111 as an SN, and by the second base station 112 as the MN.

It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive.Several embodiments are comprised herein. Components from one embodimentmay be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it willbe obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may beused in the other exemplary embodiments. One or more embodiments may becombined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not describedto simplify the description.

The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to thesame references provided above, in relation to the actions described forthe first base station 111, and will thus not be repeated here tosimplify the description, however, it applies equally. For example, thefirst set of frequencies may be NR frequencies.

Action 701

In this Action 701, the user equipment 130 receives, from the first basestation 111, the configuration message. The configuration messagespecifies one of the following two options. In a first option, theconfiguration message specifies the one or more measurements the UE 130is to perform with the MN RRC reconfiguration message. In this firstoption, the MN RRC message embeds the SN RRC message, wherein theembedded SN RRC message configures the UE 130 with a measurement gapconfiguration. In a second option, the configuration message specifiesthe measurement gap configuration the UE 130 is to apply with the MN RRCreconfiguration message. In this second option, the MN RRC messageembeds the SN RRC message, wherein the embedded SN RRC message specifiesthe one or more measurements the UE 130 is to perform.

The first option may correspond to the embodiments wherein the UE 130may be served by the first base station 111 as the MN, and by the secondbase station 112, wherein the second base station 112 is a SN

The second option may correspond to the embodiments wherein the UE 130may be served by the first base station 111 as an SN, and by the secondbase station 112 as the MN

The transmitting may be implemented, for example, via the first link141, e.g., radio link.

In some embodiments, the MN RRC message may be an LTE RRC message, andthe SN message may be an NR RRC reconfiguration message.

By receiving the configuration message from the first base station 111in this Action 701, the configuration performed may be understood to beimproved, since the network, that is, MN and SN, may be enabled toconfigure all measurements to the UE 130 as per its capability,dynamically. Furthermore, the time of the measurement configurationand/or setup procedures to have the user equipment 130 perform the oneor more measurements may be reduced, by combining the procedures ofmeasurement capabilities and gap coordination, which may be understoodto result in fewer inter-node message exchanges.

Action 702

In this Action 702, the user equipment 130 takes the one or moremeasurements based on the received configuration message.

Taking may be understood as e.g., performing.

According to the foregoing, various embodiments are described hereinwhich address one or more of the issues disclosed herein. Certainembodiments may provide one or more of the following technicaladvantage(s). Some embodiments may enable the utilization of the maximummeasurement capability of the UE 130, that is, its UE measurementcapability, in, e.g., an EN-DC scenario. This may be understood to makeit possible to utilize the many frequency layers that the network mayhave deployed to serve its users.

Some embodiments may combine the procedures of measurement capabilitiesand gap coordination and may reduce the time of the measurementconfiguration/setup procedures.

Some embodiments may allow an SN to setup an optimal gap pattern for NRmeasurements based on the needs of the MN and/or the UE. According toembodiments herein, an MN may inform an SN about the NR frequencycarriers that it may be adding or removing from its measurements. The SNmay inform the MN about the frequency carriers that it may be adding orremoving from its measurements. The SN may then use the assistanceinformation provided to it from the MN, according to Actions 503 and601, to set the appropriate measurement gap.

FIG. 8 depicts two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively,of the arrangement that the first base station 111 may comprise toperform the method actions described above in relation to FIG. 5 . Insome embodiments, the first base station 111 may comprise the followingarrangement depicted in FIG. 8 a . The first base station 111 may beunderstood to be for handling one or more measurements to be performedby the UE 130. The first base station 111 may be understood to serve theUE 130 with the second base station 112 in the wireless communicationnetwork 100 in a dual connectivity setup.

Several embodiments are comprised herein. Components from one embodimentmay be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it willbe obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may beused in the other exemplary embodiments. The detailed description ofsome of the following corresponds to the same references provided above,in relation to the actions described for the first base station 111, andwill thus not be repeated here. For example, the first base station 111may be a NR gNB.

In FIG. 8 , optional modules are indicated with dashed boxes.

The first base station 111 is configured to perform the determining ofAction 501, e.g. by means of a determining unit 801 within the firstbase station 111, configured to determine the change in the one or moremeasurements to be performed by the UE 130. The one or more measurementsare configured to be associated with the first set of frequencies.

The first set of frequencies may be configured to be NR frequencies.

The first base station 111 is also configured to perform thetransmitting of Action 502. e.g. by means of a transmitting unit 802within the first base station 111, configured to transmit the firstmessage to the second base station 112. The first message is configuredto comprise information regarding which one or more frequencies in thefirst set of frequencies are to be changed. The first base station 111and the second base station 112 are configured to serve the UE 130.

In some embodiments, the change in the one or more measurements may beconfigured to comprise adding or removing one or more frequencies in thefirst set of frequencies configured to be measured.

In some embodiments, the first base station 111 may be furtherconfigured to perform the receiving of Action 503, e.g. by means of areceiving unit 803 within the first base station 111, configured toreceive, from the second base station 112, the inter-node RRC messageconfigured to comprise the measurement gap configuration. Themeasurement gap configuration may be configured to be based on the firstmessage configured to be transmitted from the first base station 111.

In some embodiments, the first base station 111 may be configured towait to receive the measurement gap configuration from the second basestation 112 configured to indicate that the gap is configured, beforetransmitting the configuration message to the UE 130 configured tospecify the one or more measurements the UE 130 is to perform.

In some embodiments, the first base station 111 may be configured to bean MN, and the second base station 112 may be configured to be an SN.

In some embodiments, the first base station 111 may be configured to,e.g. by means of the transmitting module 802 within the first basestation 111, further configured to, transmit, to the UE 130, theconfiguration message configured to specify the one or more measurementsthe UE 130 is to perform with the MN RRC reconfiguration message. The MNRRC message may be configured to embed the SN RRC message. The SN RRCmessage configured to be embedded may be configured to configure the UE130 with the measurement gap configuration configured to be receivedfrom the SN.

In some embodiments, the first base station 111 may be configured to bean SN, and the second base station 112 may be configured to be an MN.

In some embodiments, the first base station 111 may be configured to,e.g. by means of the transmitting module 802 within the first basestation 111, further configured to, transmit, to the UE 130, theconfiguration message configured to specify the measurement gapconfiguration the UE 130 is to apply with the MN RRC reconfigurationmessage. The MN message may be configured to embed an SN RRC message.The SN RRC message configured to be embedded may be configured tospecify the one or more measurements the UE 130 is to perform.

The MN RRC message may be configured to be an LTE RRC message, and theSN message may be configured to be an NR RRC reconfiguration message.

The embodiments herein in the first base station 111 may be implementedthrough one or more processors, such as a processor 804 in the firstbase station 111 depicted in FIG. 8 a , together with computer programcode for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein.A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardwarecomponent. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as acomputer program product, for instance in the form of a data carriercarrying computer program code for performing the embodiments hereinwhen being loaded into the first base station 111. One such carrier maybe in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other datacarriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code mayfurthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloadedto the first base station 111.

The first base station 111 may further comprise a memory 805 comprisingone or more memory units. The memory 805 is arranged to be used to storeobtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, andapplications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed inthe first base station 111.

In some embodiments, the first base station 111 may receive informationfrom, e.g., the second base station 112 and/or the user equipment 130,through a receiving port 806. In some embodiments, the receiving port806 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in first basestation 111. In other embodiments, the first base station 111 mayreceive information from another structure in the wirelesscommunications network 100 through the receiving port 806. Since thereceiving port 806 may be in communication with the processor 804, thereceiving port 806 may then send the received information to theprocessor 804. The receiving port 806 may also be configured to receiveother information.

The processor 804 in the first base station 111 may be furtherconfigured to transmit or send information to e.g., the second basestation 112 and/or the user equipment 130, or another structure in thewireless communications network 100, through a sending port 807, whichmay be in communication with the processor 804, and the memory 805.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the determining unit801, the transmitting unit 802, and the receiving unit 803 describedabove may refer to a combination of analog and digital modules, and/orone or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g.,stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors suchas the processor 804, perform as described above. One or more of theseprocessors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in asingle Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or severalprocessors and various digital hardware may be distributed among severalseparate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into aSystem-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Also, in some embodiments, the different units 801-803 described abovemay be implemented as one or more applications running on one or moreprocessors such as the processor 804.

Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for thefirst base station 111 may be respectively implemented by means of acomputer program 808 product, comprising instructions. i.e., softwarecode portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 804, causethe at least one processor 804 to carry out the actions describedherein, as performed by the first base station 111. The computer program808 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 809. Thecomputer-readable storage medium 809, having stored thereon the computerprogram 808, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at leastone processor 804, cause the at least one processor 804 to carry out theactions described herein, as performed by the first base station 111. Insome embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 809 may be anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc,or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program 808product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program 808just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal,optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium809, as described above.

The first base station 111 may comprise a communication interfaceconfigured to facilitate communications between the first base station111 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the second base station 112 and/orthe user equipment 130. The interface may, for example, include atransceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an airinterface in accordance with a suitable standard.

In other embodiments, the first base station 111 may comprise thefollowing arrangement depicted in FIG. 8 b . The first base station 111may comprise a processing circuitry 804. e.g., one or more processorssuch as the processor 804, in the first base station 111 and the memory805. The first base station 11 may also comprise a radio circuitry 810,which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 806 and the sending port807. The processing circuitry 810 may be configured to, or operable to,perform the method actions according to FIG. 5 , in a similar manner asthat described in relation to FIG. 8 a . The radio circuitry 810 may beconfigured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection withthe second base station 112 and/or the user equipment 130. Circuitry maybe understood herein as a hardware component.

Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the first base station 111comprising the processing circuitry 804 and the memory 805, said memory805 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 804,whereby the first base station 111 is operative to perform the actionsdescribed herein in relation to the first base station 111, e.g., inFIG. 5 .

FIG. 9 depicts two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively,of the arrangement that the second base station 112 may comprise toperform the method actions described above in relation to FIG. 6 . Insome embodiments, the second base station 112 may comprise the followingarrangement depicted in FIG. 9 a . The second base station 112 may beunderstood to be for handling one or more measurements to be performedby the UE 130. The second base station 112 may be understood to servethe UE 130 with the first base station 111 in the wireless communicationnetwork 100 in a dual connectivity setup.

Several embodiments are comprised herein. Components from one embodimentmay be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it willbe obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may beused in the other exemplary embodiments. The detailed description ofsome of the following corresponds to the same references provided above,in relation to the actions described for the first base station 111, andwill thus not be repeated here. For example, the second base station 112may be an LTE eNB.

In FIG. 9 , optional modules are indicated with dashed boxes.

The second base station 112 is configured to perform the receiving ofAction 601, e.g. by means of a receiving unit 901 within the second basestation 112, configured to receive the first message from the first basestation 111. The first message is configured to comprise informationregarding which one or more frequencies in the first set of frequenciesare to be changed in one or more measurements to be performed by the UE130. The first base station 111 and the second base station 112 areconfigured to serve the UE 130.

The first set of frequencies may be configured to be NR frequencies.

In some embodiments, the change in the one or more measurements may beconfigured to comprise adding or removing the one or more frequencies inthe first set of frequencies configured to be measured.

In some embodiments, the second base station 112 may be furtherconfigured to perform the sending of Action 602, e.g. by means of asending unit 902 within the second base station 112, configured to send,to the first base station 111, the inter-node RRC message configured tocomprise the measurement gap configuration. The measurement gapconfiguration may be configured to be based on the first messageconfigured to be received from the first base station 111.

The MN RRC message may be configured to be an LTE RRC message, and theSN message may be configured to be an NR RRC reconfiguration message.

In some embodiments, the first base station 111 may be configured to bean MN, and the second base station 112 may be configured to be an SN.

In other embodiments, the first base station 111 may be configured to bean SN, and the second base station 112 may be configured to be an MN.

The embodiments herein in the second base station 112 may be implementedthrough one or more processors, such as a processor 903 in the secondbase station 112 depicted in FIG. 9 a , together with computer programcode for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein.A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardwarecomponent. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as acomputer program product, for instance in the form of a data carriercarrying computer program code for performing the embodiments hereinwhen being loaded into the second base station 112. One such carrier maybe in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other datacarriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code mayfurthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloadedto the second base station 112.

The second base station 112 may further comprise a memory 904 comprisingone or more memory units. The memory 904 is arranged to be used to storeobtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, andapplications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed inthe second base station 112.

In some embodiments, the second base station 112 may receive informationfrom, e.g., the first base station 11 and/or the user equipment 130,through a receiving port 905. In some embodiments, the receiving port905 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in secondbase station 112. In other embodiments, the second base station 112 mayreceive information from another structure in the wirelesscommunications network 100 through the receiving port 905. Since thereceiving port 905 may be in communication with the processor 903, thereceiving port 905 may then send the received information to theprocessor 903. The receiving port 905 may also be configured to receiveother information.

The processor 903 in the second base station 112 may be furtherconfigured to transmit or send information to e.g., the first basestation 111 and/or the user equipment 130, or another structure in thewireless communications network 100, through a sending port 906, whichmay be in communication with the processor 903, and the memory 904.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the receiving unit901, and the sending unit 902 described above may refer to a combinationof analog and digital modules, and/or one or more processors configuredwith software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors such as the processor 903,perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well asthe other digital hardware, may be included in a singleApplication-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processorsand various digital hardware may be distributed among several separatecomponents, whether individually packaged or assembled into aSystem-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Also, in some embodiments, the different units 901-902 described abovemay be implemented as one or more applications running on one or moreprocessors such as the processor 903.

Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for thesecond base station 112 may be respectively implemented by means of acomputer program 907 product, comprising instructions, i.e., softwarecode portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 903, causethe at least one processor 903 to carry out the actions describedherein, as performed by the second base station 112. The computerprogram 907 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium908. The computer-readable storage medium 908, having stored thereon thecomputer program 907, may comprise instructions which, when executed onat least one processor 903, cause the at least one processor 903 tocarry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second basestation 112. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium908 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as aCD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computerprogram 907 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computerprogram 907 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronicsignal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storagemedium 908, as described above.

The second base station 112 may comprise a communication interfaceconfigured to facilitate communications between the second base station12 and other nodes or devices. e.g., the second base station 12 and/orthe user equipment 130. The interface may, for example, include atransceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an airinterface in accordance with a suitable standard.

In other embodiments, the second base station 112 may comprise thefollowing arrangement depicted in FIG. 9 b . The second base station 112may comprise a processing circuitry 903. e.g., one or more processorssuch as the processor 903, in the second base station 112 and the memory904. The second base station 112 may also comprise a radio circuitry909, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 905 and the sendingport 906. The processing circuitry 909 may be configured to, or operableto, perform the method actions according to FIG. 6 , in a similar manneras that described in relation to FIG. 9 a . The radio circuitry 909 maybe configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection withthe first base station 111 and/or the user equipment 130. Circuitry maybe understood herein as a hardware component.

Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the second base station 112comprising the processing circuitry 903 and the memory 904, said memory904 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 903,whereby the second base station 112 is operative to perform the actionsdescribed herein in relation to the second base station 112, e.g., inFIG. 6 .

FIG. 10 depicts two different examples in panels a) and b),respectively, of the arrangement that the user equipment 130 maycomprise to perform the method actions described above in relation toFIG. 7 . In some embodiments, the user equipment 130 may comprise thefollowing arrangement depicted in FIG. 10 a . The user equipment 130 maybe understood to be for handling one or more measurements to beperformed by the UE 130. The first base station Ill may be understood toserve the UE 130 with the second base station 112 in the wirelesscommunication network 100 in a dual connectivity setup.

Several embodiments are comprised herein. Components from one embodimentmay be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it willbe obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may beused in the other exemplary embodiments. The detailed description ofsome of the following corresponds to the same references provided above,in relation to the actions described for the user equipment 130, andwill thus not be repeated here. For example, the dual connectivity setupmay be EN-DC.

In FIG. 10 , optional modules are indicated with dashed boxes.

The user equipment 130 is configured to perform the receiving of action701. e.g. by means of a receiving module 1001 within the user equipment130, configured to receive, from the first base station 111, theconfiguration message configured to specify one of the followingoptions. According to the first option, the configuration message isconfigured to specify one or more measurements the UE 130 is to performwith an MN RRC reconfiguration message. The MN RRC message may beconfigured to embed an SN RRC message. The SN RRC message configured tobe embedded is configured to configure the UE 130 with the measurementgap configuration. According to the second option, the configurationmessage is configured to specify the measurement gap configuration theUE 130 is to apply with an MN RRC reconfiguration message. The MN RRCmessage is configured to embed the SN RRC message. The SN RRC messageconfigured to be embedded is configured to specify the one or moremeasurements the UE 130 is to perform.

In some embodiments, the user equipment 130 is also configured toperform the taking of action 702, e.g. by means of a taking module 1002within the user equipment 130, configured to take the one or moremeasurements based on the configuration message configured to bereceived.

The MN RRC message may be configured to be an LTE RRC message, and theSN message may be configured to be an NR RRC reconfiguration message.

In some embodiments, the UE 130 may be configured to be served by thefirst base station 111 as a MN, and by the second base station 112,wherein the second base station 112 may be configured to be an SN.

In other embodiments, the UE 130 may be configured to be served by thefirst base station 111 as a SN, and by the second base station 112 as aMN.

The embodiments herein in the user equipment 130 may be implementedthrough one or more processors, such as a processor 1003 in the userequipment 130 depicted in FIG. 10 a , together with computer programcode for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein.A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardwarecomponent. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as acomputer program product, for instance in the form of a data carriercarrying computer program code for performing the embodiments hereinwhen being loaded into the user equipment 130. One such carrier may bein the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other datacarriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code mayfurthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloadedto the user equipment 130.

The user equipment 130 may further comprise a memory 1004 comprising oneor more memory units. The memory 1004 is arranged to be used to storeobtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, andapplications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed inthe user equipment 130.

In some embodiments, the user equipment 130 may receive informationfrom, e.g., the first base station 111 and/or the second base station112, through a receiving port 1005. In some embodiments, the receivingport 1005 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in userequipment 130. In other embodiments, the user equipment 130 may receiveinformation from another structure in the wireless communicationsnetwork 100 through the receiving port 1005. Since the receiving port1005 may be in communication with the processor 1003, the receiving port1005 may then send the received information to the processor 1003. Thereceiving port 1005 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 1003 in the user equipment 130 may be further configuredto transmit or send information to e.g., the first base station 111and/or the second base station 112 or another structure in the wirelesscommunications network 100, through a sending port 1006, which may be incommunication with the processor 1003, and the memory 1004.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the receiving unit1001 and the taking module 1002 described above may refer to acombination of analog and digital modules, and/or one or more processorsconfigured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that,when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1003,perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well asthe other digital hardware, may be included in a singleApplication-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processorsand various digital hardware may be distributed among several separatecomponents, whether individually packaged or assembled into aSystem-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Also, in some embodiments, the different modules 1001-1002 describedabove may be implemented as one or more applications running on one ormore processors such as the processor 1003.

Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for theuser equipment 130 may be respectively implemented by means of acomputer program 1007 product, comprising instructions. i.e., softwarecode portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1003,cause the at least one processor 1003 to carry out the actions describedherein, as performed by the user equipment 130. The computer program1007 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1008.The computer-readable storage medium 1008, having stored thereon thecomputer program 1007, may comprise instructions which, when executed onat least one processor 1003, cause the at least one processor 1003 tocarry out the actions described herein, as performed by the userequipment 130. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium1008 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as aCD ROM disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computerprogram 1007 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computerprogram 1007 just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronicsignal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storagemedium 1008, as described above.

The user equipment 130 may comprise a communication interface configuredto facilitate communications between the user equipment 130 and othernodes or devices. e.g., the second base station 102. The interface may,for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receiveradio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitablestandard.

In other embodiments, the user equipment 130 may comprise the followingarrangement depicted in FIG. 10 b . The user equipment 130 may comprisea processing circuitry 1003, e.g., one or more processors such as theprocessor 1003, in the user equipment 130 and the memory 1004. The userequipment 130 may also comprise a radio circuitry 1009, which maycomprise e.g., the receiving port 1005 and the sending port 1006. Theprocessing circuitry 1003 may be configured to, or operable to, performthe method actions according to FIG. 7 , in a similar manner as thatdescribed in relation to FIG. 10 a . The radio circuitry 1009 may beconfigured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection withthe first base station 111 and/or the second base station 112. Circuitrymay be understood herein as a hardware component.

Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the user equipment 130operative to handle a failure, the user equipment 130 being operative tooperate in the wireless communications network 100. The user equipment130 may comprise the processing circuitry 1003 and the memory 1004, saidmemory 1004 containing instructions executable by said processingcircuitry 1003, whereby the user equipment 130 is further operative toperform the actions described herein in relation to the user equipment130, e.g., in FIG. 7 .

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according totheir ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless adifferent meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context inwhich it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus,component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referringto at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means,step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methodsdisclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact orderdisclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following orpreceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step mustfollow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, whereverappropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may applyto any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features andadvantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from thefollowing description.

As used herein, the expression “at least one of:” followed by a list ofalternatives separated by commas, and wherein the last alternative ispreceded by the “and” term, may be understood to mean that only one ofthe list of alternatives may apply, more than one of the list ofalternatives may apply or all of the list of alternatives may apply.This expression may be understood to be equivalent to the expression “atleast one of:” followed by a list of alternatives separated by commas,and wherein the last alternative is preceded by the “or” term.

Examples Related to Embodiments Herein Group A Examples

A method is performed by a wireless device. The method comprises takingone or more measurements based on information provided as described inany of the Examples discussed above. The one or more measurements arebased on information provided by a first network node and a secondnetwork node. The method further comprises providing user data, andforwarding the user data to a host computer via the transmission to thebase station.

Group B Examples

A method performed by a base station comprises determining a change inthe measurements to be performed by a UE. The measurements areassociated with a first set of frequencies. The method further comprisestransmitting a first message. The first message comprises informationregarding one or more frequencies/carriers that are to be changed. Thefirst set of frequencies are NR frequencies. The change in themeasurements comprises adding or removing one or more frequencies orcarriers to be measured. The first message is transmitted to a secondarynode (SN). The SN is configured to use the first message to determinehow many measurements remain for it request the UE perform. The UE canperform a first number of measurements. Upon a frequency being removed,the SN starts counting the measurements on the concerned frequenciestowards the first number of measurements. The base station waits toreceive a confirmation message from the SN that a gap is configuredbefore transmitting a configuration message to the UE specifying themeasurements the UE is to perform. The SN transmits an ACK via an X2interface that could also optionally contain the measurement gapconfiguration in an NR RRC connection reconfiguration message. Themethod further comprises transmitting to the UE a measurement configthat configures in an LTE RRC message, embedding the NR RRC message thatthe SN has just sent. The method further comprises receiving a messagefrom the SN. The message from the SN comprises an indication that the SNhas changed the measurements it will ask the UE to perform. The methodfurther comprises modifying the measurements to be performed by the UEbased on the message from the SN. The method further comprises obtaininguser data, and forwarding the user data to a host computer or a wirelessdevice.

Further Extensions and Variations

FIG. 11 : A wireless network in accordance with some embodiments.

Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in anyappropriate type of system using any suitable components, theembodiments disclosed herein are described in relation to a wirelessnetwork, such as the example wireless network illustrated in FIG. 11 .For simplicity, the wireless network of FIG. 11 only depicts network1106, network nodes 1160 and 1160 b, and WDs 1110, 1110 b, and 1110 c.In practice, a wireless network may further include any additionalelements suitable to support communication between wireless devices orbetween a wireless device and another communication device, such as alandline telephone, a service provider, or any other network node or enddevice. Of the illustrated components, network node 1160 and wirelessdevice (WD) 1110 are depicted with additional detail. Any of the firstbase station 111 and the second base station 112, may be consideredexamples of the network node 1160. The user equipment 130 may beconsidered an example of the wireless device (WD) 1110. The wirelessnetwork may provide communication and other types of services to one ormore wireless devices to facilitate the wireless devices' access toand/or use of the services provided by, or via, the wireless network.

The wireless network may comprise and/or interface with any type ofcommunication, telecommunication, data, cellular, and/or radio networkor other similar type of system. In some embodiments, the wirelessnetwork may be configured to operate according to specific standards orother types of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, particularembodiments of the wireless network may implement communicationstandards, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Long Term Evolution(LTE), and/or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G. or 5G standards; wireless localarea network (WLAN) standards, such as the IEEE 802.11 standards; and/orany other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as theWorldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax). Bluetooth,Z-Wave and/or ZigBee standards.

Network 1106 may comprise one or more backhaul networks, core networks.IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), packet datanetworks, optical networks, wide-area networks (WANs), local areanetworks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks,wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks toenable communication between devices.

Network node 1160 and WD 1110 comprise various components described inmore detail below. These components work together in order to providenetwork node and/or wireless device functionality, such as providingwireless connections in a wireless network. In different embodiments,the wireless network may comprise any number of wired or wirelessnetworks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices,relay stations, and/or any other components or systems that mayfacilitate or participate in the communication of data and/or signalswhether via wired or wireless connections.

As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured,arranged and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with awireless device and/or with other network nodes or equipment in thewireless network to enable and/or provide wireless access to thewireless device and/or to perform other functions (e.g., administration)in the wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are notlimited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), basestations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations. Node Bs, evolved Node Bs(eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)). Base stations may be categorized based onthe amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, theirtransmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto basestations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro basestations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor nodecontrolling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (orall) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralizeddigital units and/or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to asRemote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not beintegrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of adistributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in adistributed antenna system (DAS). Yet further examples of network nodesinclude multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, networkcontrollers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base stationcontrollers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmissionpoints, transmission nodes, multi-cell/multicast coordination entities(MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., MSCs, MMEs), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SONnodes, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLCs), and/or MDTs. As anotherexample, a network node may be a virtual network node as described inmore detail below. More generally, however, network nodes may representany suitable device (or group of devices) capable, configured, arranged,and/or operable to enable and/or provide a wireless device with accessto the wireless network or to provide some service to a wireless devicethat has accessed the wireless network.

In FIG. 11 , network node 1160 includes processing circuitry 1170,device readable medium 1180, interface 1190, auxiliary equipment 1184,power source 1186, power circuitry 1187, and antenna 1162. Althoughnetwork node 1160 illustrated in the example wireless network of FIG. 11may represent a device that includes the illustrated combination ofhardware components, other embodiments may comprise network nodes withdifferent combinations of components. It is to be understood that anetwork node comprises any suitable combination of hardware and/orsoftware needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methodsdisclosed herein. Moreover, while the components of network node 1160are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nestedwithin multiple boxes, in practice, a network node may comprise multipledifferent physical components that make up a single illustratedcomponent (e.g., device readable medium 1180 may comprise multipleseparate hard drives as well as multiple RAM modules).

Similarly, network node 1160 may be composed of multiple physicallyseparate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or aBTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their ownrespective components. In certain scenarios in which network node 1160comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components),one or more of the separate components may be shared among severalnetwork nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeB's.In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in someinstances be considered a single separate network node. In someembodiments, network node 1160 may be configured to support multipleradio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some componentsmay be duplicated (e.g., separate device readable medium 1180 for thedifferent RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., the sameantenna 1162 may be shared by the RATs). Network node 1160 may alsoinclude multiple sets of the various illustrated components fordifferent wireless technologies integrated into network node 1160, suchas, for example, GSM, WCDMA. LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth wirelesstechnologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into thesame or different chip or set of chips and other components withinnetwork node 1160.

Processing circuitry 1170 is configured to perform any determining,calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations)described herein as being provided by a network node. These operationsperformed by processing circuitry 1170 may include processinginformation obtained by processing circuitry 1170 by, for example,converting the obtained information into other information, comparingthe obtained information or converted information to information storedin the network node, and/or performing one or more operations based onthe obtained information or converted information, and as a result ofsaid processing making a determination.

Processing circuitry 1170 may comprise a combination of one or more of amicroprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit,digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, fieldprogrammable gate array, or any other suitable computing device,resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logicoperable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other networknode 1160 components, such as device readable medium 1180, network node1160 functionality. For example, processing circuitry 1170 may executeinstructions stored in device readable medium 1180 or in memory withinprocessing circuitry 1170. Such functionality may include providing anyof the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussedherein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1170 may include asystem on a chip (SOC).

In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1170 may include one or moreof radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1172 and basebandprocessing circuitry 1174. In some embodiments, radio frequency (RF)transceiver circuitry 1172 and baseband processing circuitry 1174 may beon separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radiounits and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RFtransceiver circuitry 1172 and baseband processing circuitry 1174 may beon the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units

In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality describedherein as being provided by a network node, base station, eNB or othersuch network device may be performed by processing circuitry 1170executing instructions stored on device readable medium 1180 or memorywithin processing circuitry 1170. In alternative embodiments, some orall of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 1170without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete devicereadable medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of thoseembodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readablestorage medium or not, processing circuitry 1170 can be configured toperform the described functionality. The benefits provided by suchfunctionality are not limited to processing circuitry 1170 alone or toother components of network node 1160, but are enjoyed by network node1160 as a whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

Device readable medium 1180 may comprise any form of volatile ornon-volatile computer readable memory including, without limitation,persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory,magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removablestorage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or aDigital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile,non-transitory device readable and/or computer-executable memory devicesthat store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used byprocessing circuitry 1170. Device readable medium 1180 may store anysuitable instructions, data or information, including a computerprogram, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules,code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executedby processing circuitry 1170 and, utilized by network node 1160. Devicereadable medium 1180 may be used to store any calculations made byprocessing circuitry 1170 and/or any data received via interface 1190.In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1170 and device readablemedium 1180 may be considered to be integrated.

Interface 1190 is used in the wired or wireless communication ofsignalling and/or data between network node 1160, network 1106, and/orWDs 1110. As illustrated, interface 1190 comprises port(s)/terminal(s)1194 to send and receive data, for example to and from network 1106 overa wired connection. Interface 1190 also includes radio front endcircuitry 1192 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a partof, antenna 1162. Radio front end circuitry 1192 comprises filters 1198and amplifiers 1196. Radio front end circuitry 1192 may be connected toantenna 1162 and processing circuitry 1170. Radio front end circuitrymay be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 1162and processing circuitry 1170. Radio front end circuitry 1192 mayreceive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes orWDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry 1192 mayconvert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriatechannel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 1198and/or amplifiers 1196. The radio signal may then be transmitted viaantenna 1162. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 1162 may collectradio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio frontend circuitry 1192. The digital data may be passed to processingcircuitry 1170. In other embodiments, the interface may comprisedifferent components and/or different combinations of components.

In certain alternative embodiments, network node 1160 may not includeseparate radio front end circuitry 1192, instead, processing circuitry1170 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected toantenna 1162 without separate radio front end circuitry 1192. Similarly,in some embodiments, all or some of RF transceiver circuitry 1172 may beconsidered a part of interface 1190. In still other embodiments,interface 1190 may include one or more ports or terminals 1194, radiofront end circuitry 1192, and RF transceiver circuitry 1172, as part ofa radio unit (not shown), and interface 1190 may communicate withbaseband processing circuitry 1174, which is part of a digital unit (notshown).

Antenna 1162 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays,configured to send and/or receive wireless signals. Antenna 1162 may becoupled to radio front end circuitry 1190 and may be any type of antennacapable of transmitting and receiving data and/or signals wirelessly. Insome embodiments, antenna 1162 may comprise one or moreomni-directional, sector or panel antennas operable to transmit/receiveradio signals between, for example, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. Anomni-directional antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signalsin any direction, a sector antenna may be used to transmit/receive radiosignals from devices within a particular area, and a panel antenna maybe a line of sight antenna used to transmit/receive radio signals in arelatively straight line. In some instances, the use of more than oneantenna may be referred to as MIMO. In certain embodiments, antenna 1162may be separate from network node 1160 and may be connectable to networknode 1160 through an interface or port.

Antenna 1162, interface 1190, and/or processing circuitry 1170 may beconfigured to perform any receiving operations and/or certain obtainingoperations described herein as being performed by a network node. Anyinformation, data and/or signals may be received from a wireless device,another network node and/or any other network equipment. Similarly,antenna 1162, interface 1190, and/or processing circuitry 1170 may beconfigured to perform any transmitting operations described herein asbeing performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signalsmay be transmitted to a wireless device, another network node and/or anyother network equipment.

Power circuitry 1187 may comprise, or be coupled to, power managementcircuitry and is configured to supply the components of network node1160 with power for performing the functionality described herein. Powercircuitry 1187 may receive power from power source 1186. Power source1186 and/or power circuitry 1187 may be configured to provide power tothe various components of network node 1160 in a form suitable for therespective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed foreach respective component). Power source 1186 may either be included in,or external to, power circuitry 1187 and/or network node 1160. Forexample, network node 1160 may be connectable to an external powersource (e.g., an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interfacesuch as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source suppliespower to power circuitry 1187. As a further example, power source 1186may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery packwhich is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry 1187. Thebattery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also beused.

Alternative embodiments of network node 1160 may include additionalcomponents beyond those shown in FIG. 11 that may be responsible forproviding certain aspects of the network node's functionality, includingany of the functionality described herein and/or any functionalitynecessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example,network node 1160 may include user interface equipment to allow input ofinformation into network node 1160 and to allow output of informationfrom network node 1160. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic,maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for network node1160.

As used herein, wireless device (WD) refers to a device capable,configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate wirelessly withnetwork nodes and/or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise noted, theterm WD may be used interchangeably herein with user equipment (UE).Communicating wirelessly may involve transmitting and/or receivingwireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infraredwaves, and/or other types of signals suitable for conveying informationthrough air. In some embodiments, a WD may be configured to transmitand/or receive information without direct human interaction. Forinstance, a WD may be designed to transmit information to a network on apredetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event,or in response to requests from the network. Examples of a WD include,but are not limited to, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a cell phone, avoice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a desktopcomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless cameras, agaming console or device, a music storage device, a playback appliance,a wearable terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, atablet, a laptop, a laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop-mountedequipment (LME), a smart device, a wireless customer-premise equipment(CPE), a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, etc. A WD may supportdevice-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPPstandard for sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V),vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and may inthis case be referred to as a D2D communication device. As yet anotherspecific example, in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a WD mayrepresent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and/ormeasurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and/ormeasurements to another WD and/or a network node. The WD may in thiscase be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3GPP contextbe referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the WD maybe a UE implementing the 3GPP narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT)standard. Particular examples of such machines or devices are sensors,metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or home orpersonal appliances (e.g. refrigerators, televisions, etc.) personalwearables (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other scenarios, aWD may represent a vehicle or other equipment that is capable ofmonitoring and/or reporting on its operational status or other functionsassociated with its operation. A WD as described above may represent theendpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device may bereferred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, a WD as described abovemay be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobiledevice or a mobile terminal.

As illustrated, wireless device 1110 includes antenna 1111, interface1114, processing circuitry 1120, device readable medium 1130, userinterface equipment 1132, auxiliary equipment 1134, power source 1136and power circuitry 1137. WD 1110 may include multiple sets of one ormore of the illustrated components for different wireless technologiessupported by WD 1110, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi,WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, just to mention a few. Thesewireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chipsor set of chips as other components within WD 1110.

Antenna 1111 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays,configured to send and/or receive wireless signals, and is connected tointerface 1114. In certain alternative embodiments, antenna 1111 may beseparate from WD 1110 and be connectable to WD 1110 through an interfaceor port. Antenna 1111, interface 1114, and/or processing circuitry 1120may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operationsdescribed herein as being performed by a WD. Any information, dataand/or signals may be received from a network node and/or another WD. Insome embodiments, radio front end circuitry and/or antenna 1111 may beconsidered an interface.

As illustrated, interface 1114 comprises radio front end circuitry 1112and antenna 1111. Radio front end circuitry 1112 comprise one or morefilters 1118 and amplifiers 1116. Radio front end circuitry 1114 isconnected to antenna 1111 and processing circuitry 1120, and isconfigured to condition signals communicated between antenna 111 andprocessing circuitry 1120. Radio front end circuitry 1112 may be coupledto or a part of antenna 1111. In some embodiments, WD 1110 may notinclude separate radio front end circuitry 1112; rather, processingcircuitry 1120 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may beconnected to antenna 1111. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or allof RF transceiver circuitry 1122 may be considered a part of interface1114. Radio front end circuitry 1112 may receive digital data that is tobe sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection.Radio front end circuitry 1112 may convert the digital data into a radiosignal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using acombination of filters 1118 and/or amplifiers 1116. The radio signal maythen be transmitted via antenna 1111. Similarly, when receiving data,antenna 1111 may collect radio signals which are then converted intodigital data by radio front end circuitry 1112. The digital data may bepassed to processing circuitry 1120. In other embodiments, the interfacemay comprise different components and/or different combinations ofcomponents.

Processing circuitry 1120 may comprise a combination of one or more of amicroprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit,digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, fieldprogrammable gate array, or any other suitable computing device,resource, or combination of hardware, software, and/or encoded logicoperable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other WD 1110components, such as device readable medium 1130, WD 1110 functionality.Such functionality may include providing any of the various wirelessfeatures or benefits discussed herein. For example, processing circuitry1120 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium 1130 orin memory within processing circuitry 1120 to provide the functionalitydisclosed herein.

As illustrated, processing circuitry 1120 includes one or more of RFtransceiver circuitry 1122, baseband processing circuitry 1124, andapplication processing circuitry 1126. In other embodiments, theprocessing circuitry may comprise different components and/or differentcombinations of components. In certain embodiments processing circuitry1120 of WD 1110 may comprise a SOC. In some embodiments. RF transceivercircuitry 1122, baseband processing circuitry 1124, and applicationprocessing circuitry 1126 may be on separate chips or sets of chips. Inalternative embodiments, part or all of baseband processing circuitry1124 and application processing circuitry 1126 may be combined into onechip or set of chips, and RF transceiver circuitry 1122 may be on aseparate chip or set of chips. In still alternative embodiments, part orall of RF transceiver circuitry 1122 and baseband processing circuitry1124 may be on the same chip or set of chips, and application processingcircuitry 1126 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In yet otheralternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 1122,baseband processing circuitry 1124, and application processing circuitry1126 may be combined in the same chip or set of chips. In someembodiments. RF transceiver circuitry 1122 may be a part of interface1114. RF transceiver circuitry 1122 may condition RF signals forprocessing circuitry 1120.

In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality describedherein as being performed by a WD may be provided by processingcircuitry 1120 executing instructions stored on device readable medium1130, which in certain embodiments may be a computer-readable storagemedium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality maybe provided by processing circuitry 1120 without executing instructionsstored on a separate or discrete device readable storage medium, such asin a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whetherexecuting instructions stored on a device readable storage medium ornot, processing circuitry 1120 can be configured to perform thedescribed functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality arenot limited to processing circuitry 1120 alone or to other components ofWD 1110, but are enjoyed by WD 1110 as a whole, and/or by end users andthe wireless network generally.

Processing circuitry 1120 may be configured to perform any determining,calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations)described herein as being performed by a WD. These operations, asperformed by processing circuitry 1120, may include processinginformation obtained by processing circuitry 1120 by, for example,converting the obtained information into other information, comparingthe obtained information or converted information to information storedby WD 1110, and/or performing one or more operations based on theobtained information or converted information, and as a result of saidprocessing making a determination.

Device readable medium 1130 may be operable to store a computer program,software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code,tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed byprocessing circuitry 1120. Device readable medium 1130 may includecomputer memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory(ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., a hard disk), removable storage media(e.g., a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or anyother volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and/orcomputer executable memory devices that store information, data, and/orinstructions that may be used by processing circuitry 1120. In someembodiments, processing circuitry 1120 and device readable medium 1130may be considered to be integrated.

User interface equipment 1132 may provide components that allow for ahuman user to interact with WD 1110. Such interaction may be of manyforms, such as visual, audial, tactile, etc. User interface equipment1132 may be operable to produce output to the user and to allow the userto provide input to WD 1110. The type of interaction may vary dependingon the type of user interface equipment 1132 installed in WD 1110. Forexample, if WD 1110 is a smart phone, the interaction may be via a touchscreen; if WD 1110 is a smart meter, the interaction may be through ascreen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or aspeaker that provides an audible alert (e.g., if smoke is detected).User interface equipment 1132 may include input interfaces, devices andcircuits, and output interfaces, devices and circuits. User interfaceequipment 1132 is configured to allow input of information into WD 1110,and is connected to processing circuitry 1120 to allow processingcircuitry 1120 to process the input information. User interfaceequipment 1132 may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity orother sensor, keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USBport, or other input circuitry. User interface equipment 1132 is alsoconfigured to allow output of information from WD 1110, and to allowprocessing circuitry 1120 to output information from WD 110. Userinterface equipment 1132 may include, for example, a speaker, a display,vibrating circuitry, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other outputcircuitry. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, andcircuits, of user interface equipment 1132. WD 1110 may communicate withend users and/or the wireless network, and allow them to benefit fromthe functionality described herein.

Auxiliary equipment 1134 is operable to provide more specificfunctionality which may not be generally performed by WDs. This maycomprise specialized sensors for doing measurements for variouspurposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wiredcommunications etc. The inclusion and type of components of auxiliaryequipment 1134 may vary depending on the embodiment and/or scenario.

Power source 1136 may, in some embodiments, be in the form of a batteryor battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external powersource (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic devices or powercells, may also be used. WD 1110 may further comprise power circuitry1137 for delivering power from power source 1136 to the various parts ofWD 1110 which need power from power source 1136 to carry out anyfunctionality described or indicated herein. Power circuitry 1137 may incertain embodiments comprise power management circuitry. Power circuitry1137 may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power froman external power source; in which case WD 1110 may be connectable tothe external power source (such as an electricity outlet) via inputcircuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Powercircuitry 1137 may also in certain embodiments be operable to deliverpower from an external power source to power source 1136. This may be,for example, for the charging of power source 1136. Power circuitry 1137may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to thepower from power source 1136 to make the power suitable for therespective components of WD 1110 to which power is supplied.

FIG. 12 : User Equipment in accordance with some embodiments

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a UE in accordance with variousaspects described herein, such as the user equipment 130. As usedherein, a user equipment or UE may not necessarily have a user in thesense of a human user who owns and/or operates the relevant device.Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, oroperation by, a human user but which may not, or which may notinitially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smartsprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device thatis not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which maybe associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smartpower meter). UE 12200 may be any UE identified by the 3rd GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP), including a NB-IoT UE, a machine typecommunication (MTC) UE, and/or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. UE 1200, asillustrated in FIG. 12 , is one example of a WD configured forcommunication in accordance with one or more communication standardspromulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as3GPP's GSM, UMTS, LTE, and/or 5G standards. As mentioned previously, theterm WD and UE may be used interchangeable. Accordingly, although FIG.12 is a UE, the components discussed herein are equally applicable to aWD, and vice-versa.

In FIG. 12 . UE 1200 includes processing circuitry 1201 that isoperatively coupled to input/output interface 1205, radio frequency (RF)interface 1209, network connection interface 1211, memory 1215 includingrandom access memory (RAM) 1217, read-only memory (ROM) 1219, andstorage medium 1221 or the like, communication subsystem 1231, powersource 1233, and/or any other component, or any combination thereof.Storage medium 1221 includes operating system 1223, application program1225, and data 1227. In other embodiments, storage medium 1221 mayinclude other similar types of information. Certain UEs may utilize allof the components shown in FIG. 12 , or only a subset of the components.The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE toanother UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of acomponent, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers,transmitters, receivers, etc.

In FIG. 12 , processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to processcomputer instructions and data. Processing circuitry 1201 may beconfigured to implement any sequential state machine operative toexecute machine instructions stored as machine-readable computerprograms in the memory, such as one or more hardware-implemented statemachines (e.g., in discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.); programmable logictogether with appropriate firmware; one or more stored program,general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combinationof the above. For example, the processing circuitry 1201 may include twocentral processing units (CPUs). Data may be information in a formsuitable for use by a computer.

In the depicted embodiment, input/output interface 1205 may beconfigured to provide a communication interface to an input device,output device, or input and output device. UE 1200 may be configured touse an output device via input/output interface 1205. An output devicemay use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example,a USB port may be used to provide input to and output from UE 1200. Theoutput device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, amonitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another outputdevice, or any combination thereof. UE 1200 may be configured to use aninput device via input/output interface 1205 to allow a user to captureinformation into UE 1200. The input device may include a touch-sensitiveor presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, adigital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, amouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, asmartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include acapacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. Asensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tiltsensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximitysensor, another like sensor, or any combination thereof. For example,the input device may be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digitalcamera, a microphone, and an optical sensor.

In FIG. 12 , RF interface 1209 may be configured to provide acommunication interface to RF components such as a transmitter, areceiver, and an antenna. Network connection interface 1211 may beconfigured to provide a communication interface to network 1243 a.Network 1243 a may encompass wired and/or wireless networks such as alocal-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a computer network,a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another like networkor any combination thereof. For example, network 1243 a may comprise aWi-Fi network. Network connection interface 1211 may be configured toinclude a receiver and a transmitter interface used to communicate withone or more other devices over a communication network according to oneor more communication protocols, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, SONET, ATM,or the like. Network connection interface 1211 may implement receiverand transmitter functionality appropriate to the communication networklinks (e.g., optical, electrical, and the like). The transmitter andreceiver functions may share circuit components, software or firmware,or alternatively may be implemented separately.

RAM 1217 may be configured to interface via bus 1202 to processingcircuitry 1201 to provide storage or caching of data or computerinstructions during the execution of software programs such as theoperating system, application programs, and device drivers. ROM 1219 maybe configured to provide computer instructions or data to processingcircuitry 1201. For example, ROM 1219 may be configured to storeinvariant low-level system code or data for basic system functions suchas basic input and output (I/O), startup, or reception of keystrokesfrom a keyboard that are stored in a non-volatile memory. Storage medium1221 may be configured to include memory such as RAM. ROM, programmableread-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magneticdisks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, orflash drives. In one example, storage medium 1221 may be configured toinclude operating system 1223, application program 1225 such as a webbrowser application, a widget or gadget engine or another application,and data file 1227. Storage medium 1221 may store, for use by UE 1200,any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations ofoperating systems.

Storage medium 1221 may be configured to include a number of physicaldrive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), floppydisk drive, flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive,thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc(HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive. Blu-Ray opticaldisc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive,external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamicrandom access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcardmemory such as a subscriber identity module or a removable user identity(SIM/RUIM) module, other memory, or any combination thereof. Storagemedium 1221 may allow UE 1200 to access computer-executableinstructions, application programs or the like, stored on transitory ornon-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. Anarticle of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system maybe tangibly embodied in storage medium 1221, which may comprise a devicereadable medium.

In FIG. 12 , processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to communicatewith network 1243 b using communication subsystem 1231. Network 1243 aand network 1243 b may be the same network or networks or differentnetwork or networks. Communication subsystem 1231 may be configured toinclude one or more transceivers used to communicate with network 1243b. For example, communication subsystem 1231 may be configured toinclude one or more transceivers used to communicate with one or moreremote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communicationsuch as another WD. UE, or base station of a radio access network (RAN)according to one or more communication protocols, such as IEEE 802.11.CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE. UTRAN, WiMax, or the like. Each transceiver mayinclude transmitter 1233 and/or receiver 1235 to implement transmitteror receiver functionality, respectively, appropriate to the RAN links(e.g., frequency allocations and the like). Further, transmitter 1233and receiver 1235 of each transceiver may share circuit components,software or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions ofcommunication subsystem 1231 may include data communication, voicecommunication, multimedia communication, short-range communications suchas Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communicationsuch as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine alocation, another like communication function, or any combinationthereof. For example, communication subsystem 1231 may include cellularcommunication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPScommunication. Network 1243 b may encompass wired and/or wirelessnetworks such as a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN),a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network,another like network or any combination thereof. For example, network1243 b may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, and/or a near-fieldnetwork. Power source 1213 may be configured to provide alternatingcurrent (AC) or direct current (DC) power to components of UE 1200.

The features, benefits and/or functions described herein may beimplemented in one of the components of UE 1200 or partitioned acrossmultiple components of UE 1200. Further, the features, benefits, and/orfunctions described herein may be implemented in any combination ofhardware, software or firmware. In one example, communication subsystem1231 may be configured to include any of the components describedherein. Further, processing circuitry 1201 may be configured tocommunicate with any of such components over bus 1202. In anotherexample, any of such components may be represented by programinstructions stored in memory that when executed by processing circuitry1201 perform the corresponding functions described herein. In anotherexample, the functionality of any of such components may be partitionedbetween processing circuitry 1201 and communication subsystem 1231. Inanother example, the non-computationally intensive functions of any ofsuch components may be implemented in software or firmware and thecomputationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

FIG. 13 : Virtualization environment in accordance with some embodiments

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualizationenvironment 1300 in which functions implemented by some embodiments maybe virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creatingvirtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may includevirtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networkingresources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to a node(e.g., a virtualized base station or a virtualized radio access node,such as any of the first base station 111 or the second base station 112described above) or to a device (e.g., a UE, a wireless device or anyother type of communication device such as the user equipment 130) orcomponents thereof and relates to an implementation in which at least aportion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtualcomponents (e.g., via one or more applications, components, functions,virtual machines or containers executing on one or more physicalprocessing nodes in one or more networks).

In some embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein maybe implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtualmachines implemented in one or more virtual environments 1300 hosted byone or more of hardware nodes 1330. Further, in embodiments in which thevirtual node is not a radio access node or does not require radioconnectivity (e.g., a core network node), then the network node may beentirely virtualized.

The functions may be implemented by one or more applications 1320 (whichmay alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances,network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.)operative to implement some of the features, functions, and/or benefitsof some of the embodiments disclosed herein. Applications 1320 are runin virtualization environment 1300 which provides hardware 1330comprising processing circuitry 1360 and memory 1390. Memory 1390contains instructions 1395 executable by processing circuitry 1360whereby application 1320 is operative to provide one or more of thefeatures, benefits, and/or functions disclosed herein.

Virtualization environment 1300, comprises general-purpose orspecial-purpose network hardware devices 1330 comprising a set of one ormore processors or processing circuitry 1360, which may be commercialoff-the-shelf (COTS) processors, dedicated Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs), or any other type of processing circuitryincluding digital or analog hardware components or special purposeprocessors. Each hardware device may comprise memory 1390-1 which may benon-persistent memory for temporarily storing instructions 1395 orsoftware executed by processing circuitry 1360. Each hardware device maycomprise one or more network interface controllers (NICs) 1370, alsoknown as network interface cards, which include physical networkinterface 1380. Each hardware device may also include non-transitory,persistent, machine-readable storage media 1390-2 having stored thereinsoftware 1395 and/or instructions executable by processing circuitry1360. Software 1395 may include any type of software including softwarefor instantiating one or more virtualization layers 1350 (also referredto as hypervisors), software to execute virtual machines 1340 as well assoftware allowing it to execute functions, features and/or benefitsdescribed in relation with some embodiments described herein.

Virtual machines 1340, comprise virtual processing, virtual memory,virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by acorresponding virtualization layer 1350 or hypervisor. Differentembodiments of the instance of virtual appliance 1320 may be implementedon one or more of virtual machines 1340, and the implementations may bemade in different ways.

During operation, processing circuitry 1360 executes software 1395 toinstantiate the hypervisor or virtualization layer 1350, which maysometimes be referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM).Virtualization layer 1350 may present a virtual operating platform thatappears like networking hardware to virtual machine 1340.

As shown in FIG. 13 , hardware 1330 may be a standalone network nodewith generic or specific components. Hardware 1330 may comprise antenna13225 and may implement some functions via virtualization.Alternatively, hardware 1330 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware(e.g. such as in a data center or customer premise equipment (CPE))where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via managementand orchestration (MANO) 13100, which, among others, oversees lifecyclemanagement of applications 1320.

Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to asnetwork function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidatemany network equipment types onto industry standard high volume serverhardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be locatedin data centers, and customer premise equipment.

In the context of NFV, virtual machine 1340 may be a softwareimplementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they wereexecuting on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of virtualmachines 1340, and that part of hardware 1330 that executes that virtualmachine, be it hardware dedicated to that virtual machine and/orhardware shared by that virtual machine with others of the virtualmachines 1340, forms a separate virtual network elements (VNE).

Still in the context of NFV, Virtual Network Function (VNF) isresponsible for handling specific network functions that run in one ormore virtual machines 1340 on top of hardware networking infrastructure1330 and corresponds to application 1320 in FIG. 13 .

In some embodiments, one or more radio units 13200 that each include oneor more transmitters 13220 and one or more receivers 13210 may becoupled to one or more antennas 13225. Radio units 13200 may communicatedirectly with hardware nodes 1330 via one or more appropriate networkinterfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components toprovide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio accessnode or a base station.

In some embodiments, some signalling can be effected with the use ofcontrol system 13230 which may alternatively be used for communicationbetween the hardware nodes 1330 and radio units 13200.

FIG. 14 : Telecommunication network connected via an intermediatenetwork to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments

With reference to FIG. 14 , in accordance with an embodiment, acommunication system includes telecommunication network 1410, such as a3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network 1411, such asa radio access network, and core network 1414. Access network 1411comprises a plurality of base stations 1412 a. 1412 b, 1412 c, such asNBs. eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defininga corresponding coverage area 1413 a, 1413 b, 1413 c. Any of the basestations 1412 a, 1412 b, 1412 c may be, for example, the first basestation 111 or the second base station 112. Each base station 1412 a,1412 b, 1412 c is connectable to core network 1414 over a wired orwireless connection 1415. A first UE 1491 located in coverage area 1413c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, thecorresponding base station 1412 c. A second UE 1492 in coverage area1413 a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 1412a. While a plurality of UEs 1491, 1492 are illustrated in this example,the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where asole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to thecorresponding base station 1412. Any of the first UE 1491 and the secondUE 1492 may be, for example, the user equipment 130.

Telecommunication network 1410 is itself connected to host computer1430, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of astandalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server oras processing resources in a server farm. Host computer 1430 may beunder the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operatedby the service provider or on behalf of the service provider.Connections 1421 and 1422 between telecommunication network 1410 andhost computer 1430 may extend directly from core network 1414 to hostcomputer 1430 or may go via an optional intermediate network 1420.Intermediate network 1420 may be one of, or a combination of more thanone of, a public, private or hosted network; intermediate network 1420,if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular,intermediate network 1420 may comprise two or more sub-networks (notshown).

The communication system of FIG. 14 as a whole enables connectivitybetween the connected UEs 1491, 1492 and host computer 1430. Theconnectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 1450.Host computer 1430 and the connected UEs 1491, 1492 are configured tocommunicate data and/or signaling via OTT connection 1450, using accessnetwork 1411, core network 1414, any intermediate network 1420 andpossible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTTconnection 1450 may be transparent in the sense that the participatingcommunication devices through which OTT connection 1450 passes areunaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example,base station 1412 may not or need not be informed about the past routingof an incoming downlink communication with data originating from hostcomputer 1430 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE1491. Similarly, base station 1412 need not be aware of the futurerouting of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 1491towards the host computer 1430.

In relation to FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 , which are described next,it may be understood that a UE is an example of the user equipment 130,and that any description provided for the UE equally applies to the userequipment 130. It may be also understood that the base station is anexample of any of the first base station 111 or the second base station112 described above.

FIG. 15 : Host computer communicating via a base station with a userequipment over a partially wireless connection in accordance with someembodiments

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE,base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphswill now be described with reference to FIG. 15 . In communicationsystem 1500, such as the wireless communications network 100, forexample, host computer 1510 comprises hardware 1515 includingcommunication interface 1516 configured to set up and maintain a wiredor wireless connection with an interface of a different communicationdevice of communication system 1500. Host computer 1510 furthercomprises processing circuitry 1518, which may have storage and/orprocessing capabilities. In particular, processing circuitry 1518 maycomprise one or more programmable processors, application-specificintegrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations ofthese (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer 1510further comprises software 1511, which is stored in or accessible byhost computer 1510 and executable by processing circuitry 1518. Software1511 includes host application 1512. Host application 1512 may beoperable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE 1530connecting via OTT connection 1550 terminating at UE 1530 and hostcomputer 1510. In providing the service to the remote user, hostapplication 1512 may provide user data which is transmitted using OTTconnection 1550.

Communication system 1500 further includes base station 1520 provided ina telecommunication system and comprising hardware 1525 enabling it tocommunicate with host computer 1510 and with UE 1530. Hardware 1525 mayinclude communication interface 1526 for setting up and maintaining awired or wireless connection with an interface of a differentcommunication device of communication system 1500, as well as radiointerface 1527 for setting up and maintaining at least wirelessconnection 1570 with UE 1530 located in a coverage area (not shown inFIG. 15 ) served by base station 1520. Communication interface 1526 maybe configured to facilitate connection 1560 to host computer 1510.Connection 1560 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (notshown in FIG. 15 ) of the telecommunication system and/or through one ormore intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In theembodiment shown, hardware 1525 of base station 1520 further includesprocessing circuitry 1528, which may comprise one or more programmableprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmablegate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to executeinstructions. Base station 1520 further has software 1521 storedinternally or accessible via an external connection.

Communication system 1500 further includes UE 1530 already referred to.Its hardware 1535 may include radio interface 1537 configured to set upand maintain wireless connection 1570 with a base station serving acoverage area in which UE 1530 is currently located. Hardware 1535 of UE1530 further includes processing circuitry 1538, which may comprise oneor more programmable processors, application-specific integratedcircuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (notshown) adapted to execute instructions. UE 1530 further comprisessoftware 1531, which is stored in or accessible by UE 1530 andexecutable by processing circuitry 1538. Software 1531 includes clientapplication 1532. Client application 1532 may be operable to provide aservice to a human or non-human user via UE 1530, with the support ofhost computer 1510. In host computer 1510, an executing host application1512 may communicate with the executing client application 1532 via OTTconnection 1550 terminating at UE 1530 and host computer 1510. Inproviding the service to the user, client application 1532 may receiverequest data from host application 1512 and provide user data inresponse to the request data. OTT connection 1550 may transfer both therequest data and the user data. Client application 1532 may interactwith the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that host computer 1510, base station 1520 and UE 1530illustrated in FIG. 15 may be similar or identical to host computer1430, one of base stations 1412 a. 1412 b, 1412 c and one of UEs 1491,1492 of FIG. 14 , respectively. This is to say, the inner workings ofthese entities may be as shown in FIG. 15 and independently, thesurrounding network topology may be that of FIG. 14 .

In FIG. 15 . OTT connection 1550 has been drawn abstractly to illustratethe communication between host computer 1510 and UE 1530 via basestation 1520, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices andthe precise routing of messages via these devices. Networkinfrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured tohide from UE 1530 or from the service provider operating host computer1510, or both. While OTT connection 1550 is active, the networkinfrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamicallychanges the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing considerationor reconfiguration of the network).

Wireless connection 1570 between UE 1530 and base station 1520 is inaccordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughoutthis disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve theperformance of OTT services provided to UE 1530 using OTT connection1550, in which wireless connection 1570 forms the last segment. Moreprecisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the UE'smeasurement capability and thereby provide benefits such as improvedfrequency usage which in turn may provide better bandwidth/data rates.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoringdata rate, latency and other factors on which the one or moreembodiments improve. There may further be an optional networkfunctionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 1550 between hostcomputer 1510 and UE 1530, in response to variations in the measurementresults. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality forreconfiguring OTT connection 1550 may be implemented in software 1511and hardware 1515 of host computer 1510 or in software 1531 and hardware1535 of UE 1530, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may bedeployed in or in association with communication devices through whichOTT connection 1550 passes; the sensors may participate in themeasurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantitiesexemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities fromwhich software 1511, 1531 may compute or estimate the monitoredquantities. The reconfiguring of OTT connection 1550 may include messageformat, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; thereconfiguring need not affect base station 1520, and it may be unknownor imperceptible to base station 1520. Such procedures andfunctionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certainembodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signalingfacilitating host computer 1510's measurements of throughput,propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may beimplemented in that software 1511 and 1531 causes messages to betransmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using OTTconnection 1550 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

FIG. 16 : Methods implemented in a communication system including a hostcomputer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with someembodiments

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 . Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 16will be included in this section. In step 1610, the host computerprovides user data. In substep 1611 (which may be optional) of step1610, the host computer provides the user data by executing a hostapplication. In step 1620, the host computer initiates a transmissioncarrying the user data to the UE. In step 1630 (which may be optional),the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried inthe transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance withthe teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.In step 1640 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a clientapplication associated with the host application executed by the hostcomputer.

FIG. 17 : Methods implemented in a communication system including a hostcomputer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with someembodiments

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 . Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 17will be included in this section. In step 1710 of the method, the hostcomputer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the hostcomputer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step1720, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user datato the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordancewith the teachings of the embodiments described throughout thisdisclosure. In step 1730 (which may be optional), the UE receives theuser data carried in the transmission.

FIG. 18 : Methods implemented in a communication system including a hostcomputer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with someembodiments

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 . Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 18will be included in this section. In step 1810 (which may be optional),the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionallyor alternatively, in step 1820, the UE provides user data. In substep1821 (which may be optional) of step 1820, the UE provides the user databy executing a client application. In substep 1811 (which may beoptional) of step 1810, the UE executes a client application whichprovides the user data in reaction to the received input data providedby the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed clientapplication may further consider user input received from the user.Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided,the UE initiates, in substep 1830 (which may be optional), transmissionof the user data to the host computer. In step 1840 of the method, thehost computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, inaccordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughoutthis disclosure.

FIG. 19 : Methods implemented in a communication system including a hostcomputer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with someembodiments

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 . Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 19will be included in this section. In step 1910 (which may be optional),in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughoutthis disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. Instep 1920 (which may be optional), the base station initiatestransmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step1930 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user datacarried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefitsdisclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional unitsor modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatusmay comprise a number of these functional units. These functional unitsmay be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one ormore microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digitalhardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs),special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitrymay be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which mayinclude one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM),random-access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, opticalstorage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes programinstructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or datacommunications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one ormore of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, theprocessing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unitto perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

The term unit may have conventional meaning in the field of electronics,electrical devices and/or electronic devices and may include, forexample, electrical and/or electronic circuitry, devices, modules,processors, memories, logic solid state and/or discrete devices,computer programs or instructions for carrying out respective tasks,procedures, computations, outputs, and/or displaying functions, and soon, as such as those that are described herein.

Further Numbered Embodiments

1. A wireless device comprising:

-   -   processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of        any of the Group A examples or any of the Actions performed by        the UE 130; and    -   power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the        wireless device.        2. A base station comprising:    -   processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of        any of the Group B examples or any of the Actions performed by        the first base station 111 or the second base station 112;    -   power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the        wireless device.        3. A user equipment (UE) comprising:    -   an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals;    -   radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to        processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals        communicated between the antenna and the processing circuitry;    -   the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of the        steps of any of the Group A examples or any of the Actions        performed by the UE 130;    -   an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and        configured to allow input of information into the UE to be        processed by the processing circuitry;    -   an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and        configured to output information from the UE that has been        processed by the processing circuitry; and a battery connected        to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to        the UE.        4. A communication system including a host computer comprising:    -   processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and    -   a communication interface configured to forward the user data to        a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE),    -   wherein the cellular network comprises a base station having a        radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station's        processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of        any of the Group B examples or any of the Actions performed by        the first base station 111 or the second base station 112.        5. The communication system of the previous embodiment further        including the base station.        6. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments,        further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to        communicate with the base station.        7. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments,        wherein:    -   the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to        execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and    -   the UE comprises processing circuitry configured to execute a        client application associated with the host application.        8. A method implemented in a communication system including a        host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the        method comprising:    -   at the host computer, providing user data; and    -   at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the        user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base        station, wherein the base station performs any of the steps of        any of the Group B examples or any of the Actions performed by        the first base station 111 or the second base station 112.        9. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising, at        the base station, transmitting the user data.        10. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, wherein the user        data is provided at the host computer by executing a host        application, the method further comprising, at the UE, executing        a client application associated with the host application.        11. A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base        station, the UE comprising a radio interface and processing        circuitry configured to performs the of the previous 3        embodiments.        12. A communication system including a host computer comprising:    -   processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and    -   a communication interface configured to forward user data to a        cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE),    -   wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing        circuitry, the UE's components configured to perform any of the        steps of any of the Group A examples or any of the Actions        performed by the UE 130.        13. The communication system of the previous embodiment, wherein        the cellular network further includes a base station configured        to communicate with the UE.        14. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments,        wherein:    -   the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to        execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and    -   the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client        application associated with the host application.        15. A method implemented in a communication system including a        host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the        method comprising:    -   at the host computer, providing user data; and    -   at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the        user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base        station, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the        Group A examples or any of the Actions performed by the UE 130.        16. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising at        the UE, receiving the user data from the base station.        17. A communication system including a host computer comprising:    -   communication interface configured to receive user data        originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a        base station,    -   wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing        circuitry, the UE's processing circuitry configured to perform        any of the steps of any of the Group A examples or any of the        Actions performed by the UE 130.        18. The communication system of the previous embodiment, further        including the UE.        19. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments,        further including the base station, wherein the base station        comprises a radio interface configured to communicate with the        UE and a communication interface configured to forward to the        host computer the user data carried by a transmission from the        UE to the base station.        20. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments,        wherein:    -   the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to        execute a host application; and    -   the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client        application associated with the host application, thereby        providing the user data.        21. The communication system of the previous 4 embodiments,        wherein:    -   the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to        execute a host application, thereby providing request data; and    -   the UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client        application associated with the host application, thereby        providing the user data in response to the request data.        22. A method implemented in a communication system including a        host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the        method comprising:    -   at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted to the        base station from the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the        steps of any of the Group A examples or any of the Actions        performed by the UE 130.        23. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising,        at the UE, providing the user data to the base station.        24. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, further        comprising:    -   at the UE, executing a client application, thereby providing the        user data to be transmitted; and    -   at the host computer, executing a host application associated        with the client application.        25. The method of the previous 3 embodiments, further        comprising:    -   at the UE, executing a client application; and    -   at the UE, receiving input data to the client application, the        input data being provided at the host computer by executing a        host application associated with the client application,    -   wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the        client application in response to the input data.        26. A communication system including a host computer comprising        a communication interface configured to receive user data        originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a        base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio        interface and processing circuitry, the base station's        processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of        any of the Group B examples or any of the Actions performed by        the first base station 111 or the second base station 112.        27. The communication system of the previous embodiment further        including the base station.        28. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments,        further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to        communicate with the base station.        29. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments,        wherein:    -   the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to        execute a host application;    -   the UE is configured to execute a client application associated        with the host application, thereby providing the user data to be        received by the host computer.        30. A method implemented in a communication system including a        host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the        method comprising:    -   at the host computer, receiving, from the base station, user        data originating from a transmission which the base station has        received from the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the steps        of any of the Group A examples or any of the Actions performed        by the UE 130.        31. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising at        the base station, receiving the user data from the UE.        32. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, further comprising        at the base station, initiating a transmission of the received        user data to the host computer.

Abbreviations

At least some of the following abbreviations may be used in thisdisclosure. If there is an inconsistency between abbreviations,preference should be given to how it is used above. If listed multipletimes below, the first listing should be preferred over any subsequentlisting(s).

-   -   1×RTT CDMA2000 1× Radio Transmission Technology    -   3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project    -   5G 5th Generation    -   ABS Almost Blank Subframe    -   ARQ Automatic Repeat Request    -   AWGN Additive White Gaussian Noise    -   BCCH Broadcast Control Channel    -   BCH Broadcast Channel    -   CA Carrier Aggregation    -   CC Carrier Component    -   CCCH SDU Common Control Channel SDU    -   CDMA Code Division Multiplexing Access    -   CGI Cell Global Identifier    -   CIR Channel Impulse Response    -   CP Cyclic Prefix    -   CPICH Common Pilot Channel    -   CPICH Ec/No CPICH Received energy per chip divided by the power        density in the band    -   CQI Channel Quality information    -   C-RNTI Cell RNTI    -   CSI Channel State Information    -   DCCH Dedicated Control Channel    -   DL Downlink    -   DM Demodulation    -   DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal    -   DRX Discontinuous Reception    -   DTX Discontinuous Transmission    -   DTCH Dedicated Traffic Channel    -   DUT Device Under Test    -   E-CID Enhanced Cell-ID (positioning method)    -   E-SMLC Evolved-Serving Mobile Location Centre    -   ECGI Evolved CGI    -   eNB E-UTRAN NodeB    -   ePDCCH enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel    -   E-SMLC evolved Serving Mobile Location Center    -   E-UTRA Evolved UTRA    -   E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN    -   FDD Frequency Division Duplex    -   FFS For Further Study    -   GERAN GSM EDGE Radio Access Network    -   gNB Base station in NR    -   GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System    -   GSM Global System for Mobile communication    -   HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request    -   HO Handover    -   HSPA High Speed Packet Access    -   HRPD High Rate Packet Data    -   LOS Line of Sight    -   LPP LTE Positioning Protocol    -   LTE Long-Term Evolution    -   MAC Medium Access Control    -   MBMS Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services    -   MBSFN Multimedia Broadcast multicast service Single Frequency        Network    -   MBSFN ABS MBSFN Almost Blank Subframe    -   MDT Minimization of Drive Tests    -   MIB Master information Block    -   MME Mobility Management Entity    -   MSC Mobile Switching Center    -   NPDCCH Narrowband Physical Downlink Control Channel    -   NR New Radio    -   OCNG OFDMA Channel Noise Generator    -   OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing    -   OFDMA Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access    -   OSS Operations Support System    -   OTDOA Observed Time Difference of Arrival    -   O&M Operation and Maintenance    -   PBCH Physical Broadcast Channel    -   P-CCPCH Primary Common Control Physical Channel    -   PCell Primary Cell    -   PCFICH Physical Control Format Indicator Channel    -   PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel    -   PDP Profile Delay Profile    -   PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel    -   PGW Packet Gateway    -   PHICH Physical Hybrid-ARQ Indicator Channel    -   PLMN Public Land Mobile Network    -   PMI Precoder Matrix Indicator    -   PRACH Physical Random Access Channel    -   PRS Positioning Reference Signal    -   PSS Primary Synchronization Signal    -   PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel    -   PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel    -   RACH Random Access Channel    -   QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation    -   RAN Radio Access Network    -   RAT Radio Access Technology    -   RLM Radio Link Management    -   RNC Radio Network Controller    -   RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifier    -   RRC Radio Resource Control    -   RRM Radio Resource Management    -   RS Reference Signal    -   RSCP Received Signal Code Power    -   RSRP Reference Symbol Received Power OR Reference Signal        Received Power    -   RSRQ Reference Signal Received Quality OR Reference Symbol        Received Quality    -   RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator    -   RSTD Reference Signal Time Difference    -   SCH Synchronization Channel    -   SCell Secondary Cell    -   SDU Service Data Unit    -   SFN System Frame Number    -   SGW Serving Gateway    -   SI System Information    -   SIB System Information Block    -   SNR Signal to Noise Ratio    -   SON Self Optimized Network    -   SS Synchronization Signal    -   SSS Secondary Synchronization Signal    -   TDD Time Division Duplex    -   TDOA Time Difference of Arrival    -   TOA Time of Arrival    -   TSS Tertiary Synchronization Signal    -   TTI Transmission Time Interval    -   UE User Equipment    -   UL Uplink    -   UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System    -   USIM Universal Subscriber Identity Module    -   UTDOA Uplink Time Difference of Arrival    -   UTRA Universal Terrestrial Radio Access    -   UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network    -   WCDMA Wide CDMA    -   WLAN Wide Local Area Network

REFERENCES

-   [1] R4-1711940, LS on gaps for SS block measurement in NR, Ericsson.    RAN4 #84bis Dubrovnik. Croatia, 9-13 Oct. 2017-   [2] Report of e-mail [100 #31][NR] Inter-Node RRC message, R2-xxxx-   [3]38.331-   [4] 38.133

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE)served by a first base station acting as a Master Node (MN) and by asecond base station acting as a Secondary Node (SN), the methodcomprising: receiving, from the first base station, a MN Radio ResourceControl (RRC) configuration message that specifies one or moremeasurements to be performed by the UE with respect to one or morefrequencies associated with the SN and embeds a SN RRC message that isdetermined by the second base station and specifies a measurement gapconfiguration to be used by the UE for making the one or moremeasurements; and performing the one or more measurements based on thereceived configuration message.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein performing the one or more measurements comprises makingmeasurements on the one or more frequencies at times determined by themeasurement gap configuration.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein the one or more measurements are second measurements to be madein a second frequency range associated with the second base station andwherein the MN RRC configuration message specifies one or more firstmeasurements to be made in a first frequency range associated with thefirst base station, and wherein performing the one or more measurementscomprises performing at least the second measurements according to atiming defined by the measurement gap configuration.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the UE is served via a Long Term Evolution(LTE) connection with the first base station as an LTE MN and is servedvia a New Radio (NR) connection with the second base station as a NR SN,and wherein the MN RRC configuration message is a Long Term EvolutionLTE RRC message, and wherein the SN RRC message is a NR RRCreconfiguration message.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein theUE is served by the first and second base stations according to an EN-DCconfiguration, where “EN-DC” refers to Evolved-Universal TerrestrialRadio Access New Radio Dual Connectivity.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the MN RRC configuration message indicates ameasurement object involving a carrier frequency associated with thesecond base station, and wherein performing the one or more measurementscomprises the UE performing measurements on the carrier frequencyaccording to measurement gaps defined by the measurement gapconfiguration.
 7. A user equipment (UE) comprising: radio circuitry; andprocessing circuitry that, with respect to the UE being served by afirst base station acting as a Master Node (MN) and by a second basestation acting as a Secondary Node (SN), is configured to: receive, fromthe first base station via the radio circuitry, a MN Radio ResourceControl (RRC) configuration message that specifies one or moremeasurements to be performed by the UE with respect to one or morefrequencies associated with the SN and embeds a SN RRC message that isdetermined by the second base station and specifies a measurement gapconfiguration to be used by the UE for making the one or moremeasurements; and perform the one or more measurements based on thereceived configuration message.
 8. The UE according to claim 7, wherein,for performing the one or more measurements, the processing circuitry isconfigured to make measurements on the one or more frequencies at timesdetermined by the measurement gap configuration.
 9. The UE according toclaim 7, wherein the one or more measurements are second measurements tobe made in a second frequency range associated with the second basestation and wherein the MN RRC configuration message specifies one ormore first measurements to be made in a first frequency range associatedwith the first base station, and wherein, for performing the one or moremeasurements, the processing circuitry is configured to perform at leastthe second measurements according to a timing defined by the measurementgap configuration.
 10. The UE according to claim 7, wherein, withrespect to the UE being served via a Long Term Evolution (LTE)connection with the first base station as an LTE MN and via a New Radio(NR) connection with the second base station as a NR SN, the processingcircuitry is configured to receive the MN RRC configuration message as aLong Term Evolution LTE RRC message and to receive the SN RRC message asa NR RRC reconfiguration message embedded in the LTE RRC message. 11.The UE according to claim 7, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to support the UE being served by the first and second basestations according to an EN-DC configuration, where “EN-DC” refers toEvolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access New Radio Dual Connectivity.12. The UE according to claim 7, wherein the MN RRC configurationmessage indicates a measurement object involving a carrier frequencyassociated with the second base station, and wherein, for performing theone or more measurements, the processing circuitry is configured toperform measurements on the carrier frequency according to measurementgaps defined by the measurement gap configuration.